Cordero di Montezemolo : Enrico VI 2019

Tasting characteristics and advice for Cordero di Montezemolo’s Enrico VI 2019

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep garnet-red hue, characteristic of great Barolos.

Nose

The bouquet gradually unfolds, first revealing delicate spicy notes of eucalyptus, licorice and menthol. These are joined by ripe fruit aromas reminiscent of cherries in brandy, blackberry and prune, supported by fine floral nuances of violet and subtle balsamic and medicinal herb touches.

Palate

On the palate, this wine is powerful and concentrated, showcasing a remarkably firm tannic structure typical of Villero’s terroir. Despite this assertive framework, the palate also reveals an abundance of smooth, silky tannins. The slightly pronounced acidity brings freshness and tension. The finish lingers at length, leaving a lasting impression of aromatic complexity and elegant structure.

Food and wine pairings

This exceptional Barolo pairs beautifully with roasted or braised game meats such as hare, venison, wild boar or pigeon. It also matches perfectly with dishes featuring Alba white truffle, such as a cardoon flan with fondue or duck ravioli. Aged cheeses also make an excellent pairing.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve Enrico VI 2019 at a temperature of around 18°C. This wine requires at least four to five years of aging before reaching its peak, with an optimal drinking window opening from around 2027.

An exceptional Barolo from the prestigious Villero cru in Piedmont

The estate

Cordero di Montezemolo embodies one of Piedmont’s most remarkable stories of family legacy, with nineteen generations of winegrowers succeeding one another since 1340. Now led by Giovanni Cordero di Montezemolo and his children Elena and Alberto, the estate spans fifty-one hectares across the Langhe, including twenty-eight hectares in a single block around the historic Monfalletto estate in La Morra. Certified organic since 2013, the property stands out for its emblematic Cedar of Lebanon planted in 1856. The estate produces Barolos internationally acclaimed for their elegance and exceptional aging potential.

The vineyard

Enrico VI comes exclusively from a two-hectare plot located in the heart of the prestigious Villero cru in Castiglione Falletto, acquired in 1965. This outstanding vineyard lies at around three hundred meters of altitude, on slopes with a south-southwest exposure. The soils, with remarkable mineral richness, are composed of limestone and compact clays and show a high iron content. The vines, more than fifty years old, benefit from a cooler, less breezy microclimate than La Morra’s, giving this Barolo its powerful character and assertive personality, with distinctive spicy and earthy notes.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Piedmont is characterized by a classic, balanced profile. After a dry winter and a spring marked by heavy rainfall in April and May, summer saw heat spikes in late June and early July, followed by a cooler August. Harvest took place in mid-October, relatively late, allowing for optimal phenolic ripeness. Cool nights in September and October encouraged the development of complex aromas while preserving fine freshness. This vintage produces Barolos with firm yet elegant tannins, balanced acidity and outstanding aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

The Enrico VI 2019 grapes are hand-harvested in mid-October. Vinification begins with a maceration of around ten days in stainless-steel vats, followed by a further twelve days of fermentation. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is transferred to small French barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place. Aging then continues for around twenty months in French oak barrels, allowing the wine to develop aromatic complexity and structural elegance while preserving the authentic expression of Villero’s terroir.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo