# Leonardo (2021)

- **Producer:** Cantina Stroppiana Ssa
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €44
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, red cherry, rose, vanilla, cloves, forest floor, black tea, leather

## About this wine

The Leonardo by Cantina Stroppiana Ssa is a 2021 Barolo DOCG from Piedmont, Italy, made from 100% Nebbiolo. This wine is a personal tribute from producers Dario and Stefania Stroppiana to their son, Leonardo, with the vineyard's vines mirroring his age. The Stroppiana family, with a winemaking history dating back to the 1960s, runs the estate with a philosophy centered on quality and meticulous vineyard-to-cellar management. Located in Rivalta, a hamlet of La Morra, the grapes are sourced from plots in Verduno and Rivalta di La Morra. The 2021 vintage is noted for its lush fruit, contributing to the wine's generous and approachable character, which offers immediate charm.

## Interesting facts

- The vines for this wine are the same age as Leonardo Stroppiana himself.
- The wine is named after the son of the current winemakers, Dario and Stefania Stroppiana.
- Cantina Stroppiana prioritizes quality over quantity in their production.
- This Barolo is noted for its immediate charm rather than strict restraint.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, bright acidity, and high, rounded tannins are well-suited to complement rich, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and cleansing the palate, while the wine's fruit and earthy notes can echo or contrast with the flavors of the food.

## Wine making process

The Leonardo Barolo is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. While specific vinification details for the 2021 vintage are not available, previous vintages indicate fermentation occurs in tanks. The wine then undergoes an extensive aging process, typically 24 months in French barriques and tonneaux, followed by a further 12 months of bottle aging in the producer's cellar. This meticulous approach to aging is designed to develop complexity and refine the wine's structure before release.