Asili Barbaresco DOCG 2021 - Michele Chiarlo

The Aristocracy of Nebbiolo in the Asili Cru: The Philosophy of Michele Chiarlo

The Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco DOCG Asili 2021 represents one of the most refined, harmonious, and highly sought-after expressions within the entire Langhe winemaking landscape. This noble still red wine originates from a microscopic plot of just one hectare located in the celebrated and historic Asili Additional Geographical Mention, an exclusive subzone of the Barbaresco municipality. Under the careful technical guidance of the Chiarlo family, the project aims to emphasize the extraordinary fineness and innate graceful extraction of the Nebbiolo grape. Conceived to offer a pour of outstanding responsiveness and dynamic balance even in its youth, this Barbaresco stands out for a profound immediate appeal and formal purity built to develop beautifully over the years.

Pedoclimatic Framework and Cellar Aging Protocol of the 2021 Vintage

The vine rows delve their roots into unique soils characterized by fossil Sant'Agata marls, a marly-limestone matrix rich in fine sands that transfers a solid mineral footprint and an unmatched olfactory elegance to the wine. The growing cycle of the 2021 vintage favored gradual and balanced phenolic ripeness, allowing the winery to gather healthy clusters with a perfect acid-alcohol balance. The manual harvest carefully selects the finest clusters in a parcelized manner. In the cellar, processing applies rigorous parameters: the must undergoes fermentation and a delicate maceration inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The subsequent path in large oak casks is precisely calibrated to polish the matrix of tannins and define a solid, fruit-forward profile, safeguarding an alcohol content of 14.00% Vol.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Assessment

Measured horizontal rest in the darkness of the cellar combined with the nobility of the Barbaresco sands outlines an organoleptic framework of sharp expressive clarity for this refined red wine from Piemonte.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Nebbiolo / Barbaresco DOCG / Asili Cru (Single-Hectare Subzone).
• Analytical: Alcohol Content: 14.00% Vol. / Maturation in large oak casks / Volume: 750 ml.
• International Ratings: Robert Parker: 94+/100 / Wine&Spirits: 94/100 / Wine Spectator: 93/100 / JamesSuckling: 93/100 / Vinous: 93/100.
• Visual Assessment: Luminous and transparent ruby red color with elegant, classic garnet highlights upon swirling in the glass, characterized by a beautiful, crystalline chromatic fluidity.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, clean, and beautifully complex bouquet. Consistent scents of fresh flowers, violet, small black fruits, and crisp cherry stand out on the nose, beautifully integrated with fascinating balsamic tones, nuances of truffle, sweet spices, leather, and dark tobacco.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a dry, straight profile endowed with an extraordinary gastronomic smoothness. The progression displays a harmonious full body supported by a vibrant acidic backbone that extends the pour. The tannic texture is silky, fine, and perfectly polished, guiding development toward a long, savory finish of outstanding persistence.

Service Guidelines and Gastronomic Pairings

The structural fluidity, fine tannins, and aromatic richness of this signature Barolo qualify it as an ideal companion for fine dining and flavor-rich traditional regional cuisine.

• Stable Pairings: It pairs magnificently alongside second courses based on prominent baked red meats, light braised dishes, and rich recipes featuring feathered or furred game. It excels paired alongside structured first courses like first courses featuring vegetables and mutton, savory meat chops enriched by spicy nuances, as well as complex traditional winter preparations like pork trotter cooked in savoy cabbage stew. It finds a fascinating match when paired with complex gastronomic specialties like Neapolitan casatiello.
• Serving Method: To promote the development of the rich bouquet and ensure proper tannin integration, opening the bottle and decanting it at least one hour in advance is recommended, using a wide tasting glass of Ballon type at a serving temperature of 16 - 18°C.