Hidden away in the little known Barbaresco village of San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, just outside Alba, is the single plot of 4 hectares (of Nebbiolo, Barbera & Dolcetto) farmed by Manuel Marinacci.

Refreshingly Manuel uses the traditional approach to winemaking! He himself vinifies the Nebbiolo for Barbaresco cement without temperature control .The Barbaresco is then aged in large Slovenian botte for two years. Importantly he only vinifies the grapes that are going into the bottle with his name on it (rather than making wine out of all the crop and selling off any surplus as bulk wine); the rest is sold as fruit. The style of Manuel's wines is sophisticated and eminently drinkable.

Tasting Notes

Such was the vintage that Manuel macerated his single vineyard fruit for longer in 2009, between 25-30days in cement, giving his Barbaresco an extracted Barolo-esque stature to the wine. It’s certainly full and rich, with forest fruit notes, more spice and leather. It’s more potente (powerful) too; sunny, warm-hearted and generous (like Manuel!).

Food Pairing

This old vintage is exemplifies a meditation wine. Nebbiolo at its finest and gentlest. 

Nebbiolo

Italy, Piedmont