Cascina Val del Prete, Roero
The Roero is situated in the northeastern most part of the province of Cuneo and it owes its name to an ancient family that held the district, a hilly area, as a feudal possession. The sandy soil of the Roero hills yields an intense red wine, bearing the district's name, that differs from the other great Piedmontese wines in that it quickly attains good balance while the others require aging. The wine was created through the tenacity of the producers and their stubborness and diligence in identifying the areas with exposures and soils best suited to vines.
That pride and tenacity now constitute the most important factors in the development of winemaking in the Roero. In addition, the new generation of producers has introduced a new entrepreneurial spirit as well as more advanced techniques of vinification and of promotion of the wines. As a result, there has been a major upsurge in experimentation, greater attention to selection and more controls over and refinement of production. That modern mentality offers consumers a wide choice and fine quality.
The Roero received its Denominazione di Origine Controllata in 1985. Therefore, it can be considered a young wine, although one with a lot of history behind it, that deserves to be better known.
Region: Piedmont
Production Area: Roero, (Cuneo)
Appellation: Nebbiolo d’Alba, DOC
Vintage: 2004
Varietal Blend: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyard: The Val del Prete vineyard extends for about one acre. It’s at 800 feet above sea level and enjoys an exposure to the south. The vines are 30 years old with a density of 2.100 plants per acre. The vineyard is bio-dynamically fertilized.
Planting System: Guyot
Soil: Mainly calcareous with 30% sandy.
Harvest: Middle of October.
Yield: Less than 3 pounds of grapes per vine.
Alcohol: 14° %
Vinification: A 12-day maceration-day and fermentation in stainless steel tanks with 6-7 daily pump-overs. Racking into French oak barrels where the malolactic fermentation takes place
Aging: 22 months in new French oak barrels and 6 months in the bottle.
Total Production: 2.200 bottles
Tasting Notes: A red wine of great structure. Bright ruby red color. It can age for years.
Food Pairings: Roast lamb, game and dry cheeses.
WINNER OF SLOW FOOD/GAMBERO ROSSO 3 BICCHERI 2008
The Wine Advocate: Cascina Val del Prete Roero 2004 – 90 Points
“The 2004 Roero is one of the handful of important wines to come out of Roero. It displays lovely depth and precision in its suggestion of spices, flowers, sweet toasted oak and ripe dark fruit, with notable persistence and elegant tannins. This superb Roero is drinking beautifully right now. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2011.
This is a very strong set of new releases from Cascina Val del Prete, one of the leading estates in Roero. Working out of his tiny estate in Priocca, proprietor Mario Roagna fashions wines that are remarkable for the sheer pleasure and drinkability they provide.
By Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate #173, October 2007
|
