Barolo Riserva 'La Foia' Nadia Curto 2017

Barolo Riserva “La Foia” offers us the opportunity to read Nadia Curto's interpretation regarding the most distinctly traditionalist aspect of her work in the cellar.

The Barolo Riserva “La Foia” by Nadia Curto originates from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the east-facing part of the Arborina vineyard, the additional geographical mention extending over the territory of the municipality of La Morra and situated at altitudes between 270 and 300 meters above sea level. The significant slopes combine with the peculiar lithological composition, essentially formed by layers of blue marls from Sant’Agata Fossili, to create a decisive and advantageous draining effect on the natural concentration of extractive substances in the fruits. The characteristic late maturation of the variety usually pushes the harvest into October, although the ongoing environmental warming now tends to increasingly advance operations into September. The harvest is done by hand in small boxes, with yields around 65 quintals per hectare, and the bunches are destemmed and crushed,initiating fermentation through a pied de cuve created with the work of only indigenous yeasts. Pump-overs and manual punch-downs are carried out daily, while the maceration on the skins lasts for about 20 days, at the end of which the racking into steel tanks allows for the malo-lactic fermentation to take place. Maturation in large oak barrels of 20 and 30 hectoliters requires a period of 36 months, until, in the summer months of the fourth year after the harvest, the Riserva is bottled without undergoing clarification or filtration. It will spend one last year aging before leaving the cellar.

The Barolo Riserva "La Foia" by Nadia Curto presents a rich, distinctly garnet color, with almost explosive orange reflections. The aspect heralding great classicism coherently introduces a nose characterized by intense ethereal aromas, indicative of a composed evolution in the emergence of dark tones of cocoa and warm notes of leather and tobacco. The peculiar floral note of dog rose is still vibrant and intriguing, with a spicy pungency combined with balsamic depth. The full and austere taste represents a message of great elegance, masterfully balanced between alcoholic softness, integrated tannic structure, pronounced freshness, and a long mineral finish.