Tenuta Olim Bauda, Le Rocchette, Barbera d'Asti Superiore, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy, 2021

Producer Profile

Wine aside, Piedmont is almost as famous for truffles – those elusive, delectable delights that have to be rooted out from the depths of the forest.

Much the same might be be said of Olim Bauda – a secluded family estate that lies at the end of long drive off the busy Via Prata. Here the road gently meanders and continuously rises before the family home finally reveals itself amidst a grove of trees, though if you arrive in truffle season it is more likely to be shrouded in mist. The estate is run by siblings Dino, Diana and Gianni, all of whom have devoted themselves to creating fresh, expressive Barbera d’Asti and pure, scintillating Gavi in the most delicate, low-intervention way. Without doubt these wines, like truffles, are worth any trouble you might have finding them.

Viticulture

The harvest in Bauda vineyard takes place in the first week of October and grape selection is by hand.

Winemaking

Immediately after having been harvested, the grape is pressed in the Estate cellar and then poured into stainless steel vats. Maceration along with alcoholic fermentation lasts 12 days. Subsequently, wine is placed into 25-HL French oak barrels (Allier) where it is left to age for 18 months. After a further 6-month bottle refinement, wine is ready to be released to the market.

Tasting Note

Garnet red with purple hues. On the nose it shows complex, subtle, deep aromas with well balanced notes of ripened fruit, plum, cocoa and spice. To the palate is soft and harmonious, well structured and properly alcoholic with sweet and fine-grained tannins that give the wine proper fullness. It has a persistent and enticing close.

Food Matching

Roast Beef, fillet steak and medium aged cheeses.