# Barolo DOCG (2020)

- **Producer:** Tenuta Montanello
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €54
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, rose, licorice, tar, vanilla, cedar, dried fruit, leather, earth, tobacco

## About this wine

Tenuta Montanello's Barolo DOCG 2020 is a testament to the historic Montanello cru in Piedmont's Barolo region. The Racca family, stewards of the estate for five generations, uphold a tradition that dates back to the late 19th century when the estate housed the first wine growers' cooperative in the Langhe. This wine is a product of a celebrated vintage, known for its balance of fruit, refined tannins, and vibrant acidity, reflecting the unique terroir of the Montanello hill.

## Interesting facts

- The estate was purchased in 1864 by Bartolomeo Racca.
- It was the home of the first wine growers' cooperative in the Langhe.
- The Montanello hill is considered one of Barolo's top crus.
- The Racca family has managed the estate for five generations.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, medium-plus acidity, and talc-textured tannins are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and cleansing the palate, while the acidity cuts through the richness of fats and sauces. Earthy notes often found in Barolo complement truffle and game dishes.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Tenuta Montanello's Barolo DOCG begins with a gentle crushing of the selected Nebbiolo grapes. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel vats under controlled temperatures, utilizing automatic rotary sprayers to shower the skins with must for efficient extraction of color and polyphenols. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for three years, with the initial two years spent in French oak barriques from the Allier forest. A minimum of six months of bottle aging precedes release, allowing the wine to develop complexity and integrate its components.