2023 Giuseppe Nada - Barbaresco Marcarini (750ml)

Giuseppe Nada began estate bottling in 1964, two years before Barbaresco earned its DOC, and in 1968 the family built a new cellar into the hillside beneath their home at Marcarini. Since 2008 Enrico Nada has led the winemaking, eliminating sulfur additions during fermentation, skipping fining, and filtering only lightly. His sister Barbara manages the business, and the vineyards are certified organic.

Marcarini is a cooler cru on the far side of the hill from Casot, and part of its Nebbiolo was planted in the late 1970s on clay and limestone soils. Fermentation is spontaneous in stainless steel, with a maceration that lasted about 60 days in earlier vintages. The wine then ages two years in oak, beginning in tonneaux and finishing in large botti, and rests at least six months in bottle.

Red cherry, wild berries, rose, and violet mingle with Alpine herbs and warm spice on the nose. The palate is juicy and savory, with cranberry and a twist of blood orange, firm but refined tannins, and fresh acidity, finishing on a salty mineral note.