Domenico Clerico : Percristina 2016

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Barolo "Percristina" 2016 by Domenico Clerico

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a translucent red hue, characteristic of the finest expressions of its grape variety.

Nose
Intense and fragrant, the bouquet opens with aromas of bergamot, mint, tar and vanilla. With aeration, it reveals a beautiful complexity with notes of liquorice, rose and aniseed, along with subtle mineral and woody spice touches.

Palate
The attack is dense and full-bodied, revealing a well-structured framework with dense yet remarkably fine tannins. Warm and vibrant, the palate offers a velvety texture that extends into a long, persistent finish.

Food and wine pairing

This Italian red wine pairs wonderfully with rich meats and game, such as beef rib, osso buco or rack of lamb. It also enhances traditional Piedmontese dishes, such as white truffle risotto, wild mushroom polenta or grilled vegetables with aromatic herbs.

Service and storage

Ready to enjoy today, the Barolo "Percristina" 2016 has exceptional aging potential and can continue to develop in the cellar until around 2051.

Other characteristics

This cuvée is a poignant tribute to Cristina, the founder's late daughter. It is only produced in vintages deemed exceptional by the estate and undergoes extended aging of at least ten years before its release.

The authentic, structured expression of an exceptional terroir in Italy

The estate

Founded in 1976 in Monforte d'Alba, in Piedmont, Italy, the Domenico Clerico estate is an essential reference. Starting with just four hectares, the estate now spans around twenty-one hectares. A pioneer of organic practices and a fervent advocate for the expression of terroir, the founder left a lasting mark on the history of the region. Since his passing, the estate's independence and family values have endured. Today, it is run by his wife Giuliana Clerico, alongside Orlando, representing the third generation, and longtime cellar master Gianmatteo Raineri.

The vineyard

This great Barolo wine comes from an exclusive plot within the Mosconi cru, at an altitude ranging between 390 and 410 metres. Facing due south, the vines were planted in 1968. They thrive on soils of marine origin dating back to the Tortonian era, made up of Sant'Agata marls, silt, clay, sand and a high proportion of active limestone. This demanding terroir naturally limits the vines' vigour, concentrating the quality of the berries.

The vintage

2016 benefited from almost ideal climatic conditions. After a short, particularly mild winter that encouraged early budbreak, spring passed without incident. Summer brought moderate temperatures, with no excessive heat or water stress. The growing cycle was exceptionally extended, allowing for a late harvest that began in mid-October. September, a decisive month, combined warm days with cool nights, ensuring slow and optimal ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the Barolo "Percristina" 2016 involves a skin maceration period of twenty to twenty-five days. Aging is particularly long, beginning with around three years in new French oak barrels. The wine then rests for a further two years in large twenty-five-hectolitre wooden casks, before ageing for at least five years in bottle in the estate's cellars prior to release.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo