Barolo Riserva DOCG Cerequio 2015 - Michele Chiarlo

The Heritage of Langhe in La Morra: The Stylistic Genesis by Michele Chiarlo

The Barolo Riserva DOCG Cerequio 2013 by the historic Michele Chiarlo winery stands as a liquid testament to extraordinary class and regional accuracy. This premium organic selection embodies a forward-looking agronomic vision rooted in Piedmontese winemaking, where family management safeguards the integrity of hillside vineyards. The project focuses on the desire to highlight the pure, solid expressiveness of the Nebbiolo grape. Conceived to deliver an austere temperament and an impeccable formal profile, this Barolo Riserva commands attention as a monumental wine built to challenge decades of bottle aging within prestigious international collections.

Pedoclimatic Framework and Extended Evolution of the 2013 Riserva

The vine rows rest on the historic marly-limestone soils of the Cerequio district, an immensely valuable geological matrix that forces the root system deep into the earth, transferring an innate mineral footprint and a vibrant acidic freshness to the clusters. The seasonal trend of the 2013 vintage favored gradual and complete phenolic ripening, allowing the harvest of healthy berries rich in noble extracts. The manual harvest carefully selects the raw material. In the cellar, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled tanks with an extended skin-contact maceration to optimize color stability. The subsequent path requires a minimum horizontal rest of 60 months split between large oak casks and proper glass aging prior to release.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Assessment

The exclusive dialogue between the clayey marls of La Morra and extended dark cellaring in fine wood outlines an organoleptic framework of imposing tertiary complexity for this legendary Piemonte red wine.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Nebbiolo / Barolo Riserva DOCG / Cerequio Cru.
• Analytical Data (2013 Vintage): Alcohol Content: 14.50% Vol. / Minimum 60 months of total aging / Volume: 750 ml.
• Awards and Excellence: WineEnthusiast: 98/100 / Doctor Wine: 97/100 / Bibenda: 5 Grappoli / Falstaff: 95/100.
• Visual Assessment: Deep ruby garnet color of excellent luminosity, enriched by brilliant orange highlights upon swirling in the glass, demonstrating a dense chromatic weave.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, tight, and beautifully complex bouquet. Consistent scents of dried violet, small black fruits, and cherries in alcohol stand out on the nose, perfectly integrated with fascinating balsamic tones, nuances of white truffle, leather, dark tobacco, and a fresh, elegant background spicy hint.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a rich, powerful profile endowed with a supple mouthfeel. The progression displays a harmonious full body where the exuberant alcohol power is masterfully supported by a vibrant acidic backbone that adds dynamism to the pour. The tannic texture is tight, mature, and perfectly silky, guiding development toward a long, savory finish of extraordinary persistence.

Service Guidelines and Gastronomic Pairings

The thickness of the structural architecture, balanced tannins, and aromatic richness of this vintage Barolo Riserva qualify it as an ideal companion for high-end menus and rich traditional culinary preparations.

• Stable Pairings: It pairs magnificently alongside traditional prominent land dishes, complex grilled beef or lamb roasts, braised meats, and rich stews such as traditional savoy cabbage stew with pork trotter. It excels when paired with structured first courses like mafalde pasta over shelled broad bean purée, first courses featuring vegetables and mutton, feathered or furred game, and selections of sharp, long-aged hard cheeses. It finds a magnificent match with a classic Florentine Steak served with grilled red radicchio from Treviso or with meat chops enriched by spicy nuances.
• Serving Method: To promote the development of the rich tertiary profile 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 18 - 20°C.