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Today’s exclusive and very limited production wine is a superb example of the power and elegance of Italy’s Barolo. This wine is a must have addition to your cellar and will be drinking wonderfully for the next decade and beyond.

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Mission Codename: Circa 1752

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exceptional and exclusive Barolo for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Cascina Bruciata

Wine Subject: 2006 Barolo ‘Cannubi Muscatel’ DOCG

Winemaker: Francesco Baravalle

Backgrounder:

The greatest of all Italian wines are arguably made with from the Nebbiolo grape. The wines of the Barolo DOCG are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Nebbiolo, native to the Piedmont in north-west Italy and cultivated in the region since the 13th century is generally a bolder than its little sister Barbaresco. The late ripening Nebbiolo is known to be highly influenced by various soil and vineyard conditions, with the wines from the best vineyard sites having sublime character.

Most people don’t give Barolo enough time and drink them young, but those patient enough to wait at least 7 – 8 years, and often as much as 20 plus years are handsomely rewarded with a wine that is the ultimate expression of the grape. The most prized bottlings of Barolo are those from an exceptional single vineyard such as today’s from the Cannubi Muscatel cru.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Dense and dark ruby red with ruby streaks that shine when held to the light. A slightly more viscous wine, when swirled, slow fat and color-laden legs ring the glass.

Smell – Bold and redolent with dusty wood and earthy notes that complement its blackberry, black cherry and ripe red plum fruit. Green herbs along with some black licorice, spice and floral violets adds complexity to the nose

Feel – Full-bodied, smooth and dry; this wine’s sturdy tannins are expansive and powder fine across the palate. Vibrant acidity and textured minerality provides a framework for the elegant flavors than last long into the finish.

Taste – A medley of red and black cherry along with blackberry are richly layered over dusty and earthy minerality. Sweet tobacco, green Herbes de Provence, black licorice, exotic spice box and subtle tar blend perfectly.

Finish – Ultra long with this wines highly textured and sturdy tannins gripping onto the palate for an eternity as the black cherry, blackberry, spice and minerality other complex flavors linger away.

Conclusion – The 2006 Cascina Bruciata Barolo ‘Cannubi Muscatel’ DOCG is a fine exceptional example of the power and grace found in fine Barolo. This wine’s finesse and complexity on the nose and palate is fully supported by its study and textured structure. Perhaps too young to drink now (decant or let breathe for at least an hour), this wine will improve for a decade or more. Pair this wine with any classic Piedmonte cuisine, especially anything with truffles in it.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Francesco Baravalle

WINE EDUCATION: Winemaking and Viticulture degree from University of Turin (2001) Sommelier degree (2008)

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Use the technologies in the cellar to preserve the quality of the grapes and enhance the expression of the territory.

WINEMAKER QUOTE: Wine is devotion to land and people’s culture

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WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Francesco, We are thrilled to be showing your 2006 Barolo ‘Cannubi Muscatel’ DOCG. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

FRANCESCO: Greetings to you Agent White! It is a great pleasure for me to talk to you about our wines.

WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

FRANCESCO: I maybe didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe that it was when I was a kid, watching my grandfather bring home grapes and be so excited to crush them and to start the fermentation. Furthermore his pride when putting his own bottle on the table to share with friends saying: “Guys, I made this, enjoy it!”

WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

FRANCESCO: I think more than a specific wine or winemaker, undoubtedly, Burgundy is a very inspiriting territory where both the people and the authenticity of the wine have influenced me.

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

FRANCESCO: I make wine primarily for consumers who want to know more about our people and our land through our wines.

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

FRANCESCO: This wine comes from a little vineyard (2000 square meters) in one of the most prestigious and probably the first vineyard classified in the Barolo area, the Cannubi. The oldest bottle from the Langhe region we have a record of is a Cannubi 1752, way before the Barolo DOCG appellation was established in 1980.

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

FRANCESCO: I really like to pair our Barolo with braised beef cooked for a long time with a wine based sauce. Here in the Piedmont we have a local cattle breed that have the perfect meat to cook this kind of dish.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Barolo & Piedmont so special?

FRANCESCO: The great diversity of terroirs that are capable of making authentic wines with different personalities. Furthermore the Nebbiolo grown in Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero produces unique wines.

WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

FRANCESCO: Working in a very small winery allows me to have a very seasonable schedule. Specifically in this period of the year I dedicate a lot of time to promoting and communicating our wines to journalist tastings or new vintage presentations.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

FRANCESCO: Discovering a wine it is not only a matter of magazine reviews or critic’s scores, it is a way to learn about people and culture that live together with the vines that will give birth to great wines.

WHITE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

WINEMAKER: Yes, I really would like to share some time with them at the Cascina Bruciata winery. Come to visit us to learn about our lifestyle, culture and taste. Our cellar doors are always open to visitors!

WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

FRANCESCO: Thank you and to The Wine Spies for your attention to our land and wines! Arrivederci!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of the Cascina Bruciata and its vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.