Borgogno - Chinato (750ml)

Giacomo Borgogno & Figli traces its history back to 1761 in the Langhe region of Piedmont, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Barolo. Cesare Borgogno developed the estate's Chinato recipe in the 1920s, drawing on the apothecary tradition of aromatized tonics that were popular in the region at the time. The winery has since built a reputation for balancing historical winemaking methods with a more modern focus on sustainability and quality across its vineyard holdings.

This Chinato begins with 100% Barolo as its base and is infused with dozens of aromatic botanicals, including vanilla, cloves, gentian, and rhubarb, along with rarer additions like sandalwood, cardamom, and calamus. Cinchona bark, the source of quinine, plays the leading role and gives the wine its distinctive bitterness. The botanicals macerate for weeks before being blended into the wine, which then rests for several months before bottling and benefits from further aging in bottle.

The finished wine pours a deep red with amber and garnet highlights, opening with notes of leather on the nose. On the palate it is smooth and round, with a long, warming finish that carries through the bitter quinine character alongside sweeter spice notes.