Community Tasting Notes 1

• forceberry wrote: 90 points

  May 5, 2021 - Made with organically farmed parcel in Starderi Cru that Bondonio rents from an elderly couple. Fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, macerated for 60 days with the skins. Aged for approximately 20 months in old Slavonian oak bottis. 14% alcohol.
  
  Youthful, very translucent and beautifully luminous ruby-red color. The nose feels quite similar to Roncagliette 2017 that was tasted alongside - savory and somewhat restrained - but in comparison the aromas feel slightly sweeter and more fruit-forward with notes of juicy black cherries, some strawberries, a little bit of sunny raspberry marmalade, light floral notes of violets and a hint of exotic spice. The wine feels somewhat more gentle and open-knit in texture on the palate compared to Roncagliette. The mouthfeel is silky and quite full-bodied with flavors of ripe raspberries and sour cherries, some crunchy cranberries, a little bit of salty liquorice, light floral notes of violets, fresh fruity hints of crowberries and black cherries and a sanguine touch of raw meat. Although the wine feels moderately grippy, the overall feel is quite accessible and relatively mellow for a young Barbaresco, thanks to the medium-plus acidity and ripe and firm, moderately grippy tannins. The finish is long and somewhat grippy while the aftertaste takes a turn to a more dry and slightly more bitter direction with notes of cranberries, gravelly earth, some sour cherry bitterness, a little bit of gamey meat, light tar tones and a perfumed hint of purple flowers. The high alcohol lends a touch of warmth towards the end of the aftertaste.
  
  A balanced, tasty and classically built old-school Barbaresco, but perhaps a bit too gentle, mellow and open-knit for a wine that isn't even 4 years old. While the wine feels more open-knit and accessible than Roncagliette 2017, the wine lacks the drive and intensity of its sibling, coming across as slightly softer and sweeter. The overall feel is quite similar to the vintage 2016, but without its purity and freshness. I can imagine this will age just fine for a decade or more, but unlike Roncagliette 2017 (and instead like Starderi 2016), this is quite open for business already and doesn't scream for further aging - although I heartily recommend waiting, if evolved Nebbiolo aromatics are your thing.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2017
• Type Red
• Producer Olek Bondonio
• Varietal Nebbiolo
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard Starderi
• Country Italy
• Region Piedmont
• SubRegion Langhe
• Appellation Barbaresco
• UPC Code 7090031171117

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 34 (63%)
• Consumed 20 (37%)

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