| GIACOMO FENOCCHIO
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Two brothers, Claudio and Albino, run this family estate in the middle of the Barolo producing country. They are dyed-in-wool "Piemontesi" and very much "traditionalists" when it comes to producing their wines. The brothers work the land themselves following scrupulous traditional methods of cultivation without forgoing modern environment-friendly techniques.
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The Wines
Dolcetto D'Alba DOC '99
Barolo "Bussia" DOCG '96
Tasting Notes
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Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo "Bussia" DOCG '96 (13.5%)
Bottle Price £18.50
Case Price £222.00
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100% Nebbiolo
This is one of Italy's classic red wines from a first rate producer. It is a big, powerful wine that will really benefit from at least a day in a decanter before drinking. It has a pale, brick red colour with great 'legs' that indicates some age. The nose is ripe, still with a sweetness of fruit, hint of spices, strawberries backed with almonds: delicate and fine. The palate is lovely and fleshy with the dry leathery texture associated with Nebbiolo. It has the classic meaty, mushroomy characters with a hint of oak and a long finish. This wine still needs time to develop fully and is a great example of Barolo.
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Dolcetto D'Alba DOC '99
Bottle Price £9.95
Case Price £119.40
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Dolcetto is normally considered to be the third grape variety of Piedmonte after Nebbiolo and Barbera but these guys manage to produce a superb wine. It is bright purple coloured and looks like young aggressive red wine should. The youthful fruit really fills your mouth with proper ‘fruits of the forest’ sensations that simply zing around your palate. The wine will benefit from a year or two in the bottle to soften out but at the moment it is perfect for that summer bar-b-que or a salad with lots of tangy dressing.
Richard Bampfield MW:
Wonderful, deep purple, almost opaque. Mysterious, brooding black fruit aromas, hints of tar and smoke. Crunchy, juicy fruit, lots of up front flavour, a real joy, to be drunk while young and vibrant.
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