Description
Sottimano Barbaresco Cotta’ DOCG
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Location: Comune di Neive.
Cru: Cottà.
Orientation: sud/ovest.
Age of Vineyard:50 – 60 – 70 anni.
Size of Vineyard: 2.80 ha.
Average of production: 4800.
Yield: 40 q.li/ha.
Andrea Sottimano and his father Rino produce wines of outstanding quality from thirteen lovingly cared for hectares in the Cottà, Currà, Fausoni, Pajoré and Basarin crus in the Treiso and Neive townships. Their Barbarescos are elegant, evocative, subtle and yet hearty – to taste these crus side-by-side is to reply with a resounding YES to skeptics of terroir that question whether differences of only 200 meters does matter!
The approach here is one of minimal intervention: indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtering. No insecticides are used and only organic fertilizers are used, and only minimally. Natural cover crops (grass cover) are left in the rows between the vines and are mowed 2 or 3 times a year. In autumn the soil of every other row between the vines is tilled. Each of their four cru Barbarescos are given the same treatment to allow the uniqueness of each cru to express itself. Fermentation is done in oak, of which about 30% is new, followed by 18-20 months in neutral barriques.
Vineyard: Cottà is the first vineyard purchased at the beginning of the 1970s, which now boasts vines aged between 50 and 60 years. This is why we consider it to be the historic cru, with which our estate has a deep-rooted bond. Geographically, it is located between the two villages of Barbaresco and Neive, reconciling both the elegant mentholated and liquorice notes typical of Barbaresco wines made in the municipality of Neive and the body and round, smooth fruit typical of Barbaresco wines made in the municipality of Barbaresco.
Vinification: Meticulous selection of the best grapes in the vineyards and in the cellar is followed by spontaneous alcoholic fermentation using indigenous yeasts. After long maceration on skins (traditionally two months with submerged cap), the wine is racked into French barriques and large barrels where it completes malolactic fermentation. Neither filtration nor fining takes place at the time of bottling. A further year’s rest in the bottle allows the wine to fulfil its full expressive potential.
Tasting Notes: Barbaresco Cottà is elegant and refined, with menthol and liquorice notes, a light touch of smokiness, a floral edge that comes to dominate with dried rose. It remains delicate in the mouth, with no alcoholic overtones; an explosion of flavours with plenty of aromatic persistence, built around firm tannins
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