Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco 2018 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

I got my first taste of this beautiful Barbaresco when a previous vintage made its debut in LCBO VINTAGES a few years ago. Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on November 5 and is featured as part of the theme on "fine holiday wines that would make a perfect gift".

It is produced by Michele Chiarlo, one of Italy's top wine producers and one of only eighteen members of Istituto Grandi Marchi. The story of Michele Chiarlo begins in 1898 with the birth of Pietro Chiarlo who was born into a farming family in Bubbio. As an adolescent, he worked as a farmhand and then at the winery in Canelli. In the 1930s, after working for a period in Abyssinia, Pietro returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate and production of wine. With his brother Felice, he tilled the lands, breaking the soil by hand to replant the vineyards, and had a sense that wine was the future of the Piedmont hills. In 1935, Pietro's first son, Michele Chiarlo was born. After completing middle school, Michele enrolled in the winemaking school in Alba and his classmates were the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: Renato Ratti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè, and Giacomo Tachis.

In the 1950s, with a passion for the land and viticultural experience, Pietro Chiarlo would take leadership of Cooperative Winery of Calamandrana as president and played a vital role that contributed to the development of viticulture and oenology in Piedmont and Italy. In 1956, Michele Chiarlo started his adventure as a producer of wine and understood that quality wine in the Piedmont hills began with the choice of vineyards in the most suitable areas. The first cru of Barolo bottled under the name of Michele Chiarlo dates back to 1958.

In the 1960s, Michele expanded the boundaries of the market for wine and was among the first Piedmont producers to believe in the success of Italian wine abroad. In 1972, Michele consolidated his success by constructing a larger, more functional winery in Calamandrana. He also selected and purchased some of the best parcels of land in Langhe, Monferrato, and the area of Gavi, including some of the most prestigious crus in Piedmont. In the 1990s, Michele's two sons join the winery with Stefano taking care of the agricultural and oenological side, and Alberto in sales and marketing.

Today, Michele, Stefano, and Alberto Chiarlo continue to work and following the tradition of a family business with an international outlook. They pay great attention to details, maniacal care of the vineyards, and vinification while respecting the terroirs, vines, and artisanship of the processes. Based in Calamandrana, they are one of the most important oenological realities in Piedmont. The Chiarlo family firmly believes in the exclusivity and continued investment in indigenous grape varieties.

This 100% Nebbiolo was grown in the Piedmont region in an area of the Langhe within the communes of Barbaresco and Neive on bluish-grey calcareous clay marl soils with good presence of micro-elements, with the Barbaresco vineyard containing more sand than the vineyard in Neive. The vineyards have southeast / southwest exposure to the sun and were trained using the Guyot system. The grapes were manually harvested and vinified in steel tanks, followed by aging for a minimum of 2 years with 18 months in large casks before further refinement in bottle.

The 2018 vintage was characterized by a late winter and spring with abundant snow and then rain which helped restore the precious water reserve after a dry 2017. The months of May and June put the winegrower sternly to the test, requiring prompt interventions with anti-mildew treatments and suitable agronomic operations aimed at maintaining the grapes’ perfect health. Summer was hot and dry, but the abundant quality of fruit required the elimination of excess bunches and allowed the grapes to continue it's balanced maturation. The ideal climate in the last weeks of summer, along with mild days and cool nights in September allowed for gradual maturation and the development of strong and elegant aromas. According to winemaker Stefano Chiarlo, the wine expresses a fine bouquet, revealing strong
characteristics of the terroir of origin. Let's see how this 2018 Barbaresco is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MICHELE CHIARLO REYNA BARBARESCO 2018 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#583260) (XD) - $36.95
100% Nebbiolo. Fine, intense aromas of cedar wood and spices layered over perfumed dark red cherry, rose floral, dried herbs, forest floor, and a whiff of orange. It's full-bodied and structured with lovely tangy dark red cherry, fine cedary wood, spices, herbs, and rose florals with touches of dried cherry-floral notes. It juicy, well-balanced acids and smooth, structured, and fine tannins that are somewhat youthful. Juicy and minerally on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 10+ years. Score: 93 pts

Other lovely wines by Michele Chiarlo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Univins & Spiritueux.