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Sottimano

Anyone who has spent time in Piedmont knows the important role matriarchs play within their families. Over the years, I have probably learned more talking with the mothers and grandmothers behind the scenes who make everything work than I have with their husbands, sons and grandchildren. I was crushed to hear of the passing of Rino Sottimano's wife, Anna Maria Marengo, in a tragic and senseless traffic accident this past summer. Mrs. Sottimano was always incredibly gracious and kind, even back in the day when I was just a young American kid who showed up to taste and buy a few bottles. She will be deeply missed.

In a very challenging vintage, Sottimano turned out a terrific set of wines. Over the last handful of years son Andrea Sottimano, has gradually brought more classicism and a greater sense of transparency to the wines. That is abundantly clear in tasting the 2018 Barbarescos next to the 2013 Riserva. Sottimano gave his 2018s 40 days on the skins, with submerged cap fermentation at the end, all in wood Gamba vats. Aging was approximately 60% in barrique and 40% in cask. In subsequent vintages, the percentage of cask has continued to increase, which, ironically, takes these wines back to how Rino Sottimano made them years ago. "The climate has changed, the skins today are different and with our current style of winemaking, we see the best results in cask," Andrea Sottimano explained. Cold temperatures in the cellar and minimal handling inspired by Sottimano's love of Burgundy are some of the other cornerstones of the approach here. As good as the wines are today, my sense is that they might even be more impressive in the future!

From 2018 & 2019 Barbaresco Take Center Stage (Feb 2022) by Antonio Galloni

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2018 Barbaresco Basarin

Release Price: $90

Color: Red

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