Book Excerpt: The Barbaresco Great Vineyards Encyclopedia

Located just a few kilometers to the northeast of Barolo,
the Barbaresco appellation extends over a smaller area, but one that likewise
falls within the more ample area known as the Langhe. 

The Territory &amp;
Soil

Like Barolo, Barbaresco is also part of the “Bacino
terziario piemontese” (the Piedmontese tertiary basin) and is characterized by
marly soils, by sandstone, and by sands of varying color and dimension of
grain. These soils can then be divided into two large categories:
Tortoniano-Serravalliano and, more specifically, the Formazioni di Lequio, and
Tortoniano, or the Sant’Agata Fossili Marls, two soil types which we find,
respectively, at Serralunga d’Alba and at La Morra in the Barolo production
zone. 

<img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460414271995-Barbaresco+AM+Cover10+-+sized.jpg"> 

If, in fact, Barbarescos from the Sant’Agata Fossili marls
(Asili, Martinenga, or Albesani, just to cite a few examples) can have some
points in common with the wines of the Annunziata area of La Morra (excepting
Brunate and Cerequio), it is equally true that the Barbarescos from the
Formazioni di Lequio (Nervo, Bric-Micca, or Montersino, once again just to cite
some examples) have nothing to do with the Barolo of Serralunga d’Alba. In the
same way, remaining within the Barbaresco appellation, we can say that if
Montefico, Martinenga, and Boito share both elegance and soil type,
Serraboella, Montestefano, and Rabajà, even possessing identical soils, express
characteristics which have in common solely a greater sense of substance
compared to the three previous crus.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460414363760-VineyardShot.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460414318641-VineyardShot+-+Copy.jpg"></a> 

A landscape shot of
Asili and the neighboring vineyards
Having said this and to leave some space for discussion among friends while
tasting, we can in any case state, as a general principle, that the most
balanced Barbarescos come from Sant’Agata Fossili soils, more complete when
from the township of Barbaresco (to which we can add the Albesani vineyard of
Neive), and more simple as we gradually move from Gallina towards Serracapelli
(with the exception of Starderi). As far as the Formazioni di Lequio are
concerned, the style can vary from the leaner Barbarescos of Nervo to the
fruiter and fleshier wines found in the bordering vineyard of Bernadot, passing
from the fresher and more tannic style of Valeirano and Rombone to the rugged
character of Bric-Micca and Serraboella.

Asili

Barbaresco - 44°42’56.72”N 8° 4’45.47”E 

Overall Surface: 14.25 ha/35.20 acres

Surface under vines: 84%

Altitude: 200 - 290 meters/approximately 655 - 950 feet

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo (91%), Barbera (2%), Dolcetto
(4%), Langhe Bianco (3%)

Exposure: from west to south in the best-exposed plots, north
in the remaining parts. 

<a target="_blank" href="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460414554316-Asili+3D.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460414520909-Asili+3D.jpg"></a> 

A three-dimensional
view of Asili

The Asili MGA<a target="_blank">[1]</a>,
which extends in a 360° arc over the hill of the same name, contains a varied
series of exposures within its confines. The most famous, as is usually the
case, are south and southwest-facing and both overlook and border nearby
Martinenga. Cooler, but still at a certain level, is the amphitheater bordering
on Faset, whereas the hilltop vineyards with a northern exposure are less
interesting. The finest wines, just as those of Martinenga, aim more for
elegance than structure, with tannins that are firm but not rough, and a
delicate fruitiness. In other words, these are Barbarescos endowed with
quintessential finesse.

<img alt="" src="https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1460486154796-VineyardOwnership+-+Copy.jpg"> 

Asili ownership by
parcel

Labels:&nbsp;Barbaresco Asili (Riserva as well) - Cà del Baio; Barbaresco Asili - Cascina
Luisin; Barbaresco Asili - Ceretto; Barbaresco Asili - Michele Chiarlo;
Barbaresco Asili (Riserva as well) - Bruno Giacosa; Barbaresco Asili - Luigi
Giordano; Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Produttori del Barbaresco; Barbaresco
Asili Vecchie Viti - Roagna I Paglieri.You Might Also EnjoyArticle:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vinous.com/articles/2012-2013-barbaresco-a-study-in-contrasts-dec-2015">2012 &amp; 2013 Barbaresco&nbsp;– A Study in Contrasts</a>, Antonio Galloni, December 2015 Multimedia:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vinous.com/multimedia/the-vineyards-of-barbaresco-asili-oct-2014">The Vineyards of Barbaresco – Asili</a>, October 2014

-- Alessandro Masnaghetti

This excerpt is adapted from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rarewineco.com/piemonte-encyclopedias-by-alessandro-masnaghetti">Barbaresco MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive); The Barbaresco Great
Vineyards Encyclopedia</a> by Alessandro Masnaghetti. English translation by
Daniel Thomases. Used with permission.&nbsp;

© 2016 Enogea – Alessandro Masnaghetti Editore<div>



<div>

<a target="_blank">[1]</a>
MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive)
are specific officially delimited areas of production within the Barbaresco
DOCG; essentially the equivalent of the French term “cru.”

</div>

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