Aurelio Settimo Barolo 2011

Drinking now, this is a traditional, quality Barolo that’s starting to show it’s development. It’s full-bodied but still full of life and character. It’ll age furthur too.

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy.

2011

14.5%

75cl

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

The Setttimo had been working the land since 1934 when Aurelio’s parents first settled in a farmhouse in Barolo. The attended not only to vineyards, but to fruit and nut trees and animals. Most of the grapes were sold to big local wineries, and just a small amount remained for the family to produce wine for themselves and friends and relatives. At the end of the 1950s, Aurelio’s father began bottling some of the wine under the SETTIMO DOMENICO label. Aurelio had understood how special this land really was however, and when Domenico died in 1962 he decided to specialize in wine-growing. Mixed farming and animal breeding were abandoned, the vineyards were extended, and the AURELIO SETTIMO label was introduced during 1962.

Until 1974, when Aurelio began extending the winery, 50% of the grapes grown on the estate continued to be sold to the larger local wineries. But since the 1974 vintage all the production has been vinified on site. The Settimo family has continued to maintain a traditional product line, in particular as regards Barolo. Since the death of Aurelio (March 2007), production and sales have been handled by his daughter Tiziana, who had long been assisting him in the running of the business. The philosophy remains the same, however: to focus on quality, in keeping with tradition.

Viticulture

There are nearly 6 hectares of Nebbiolo, all of which are family owned. Grapes for this wine are grown on calcareous soils and sit with a southeastern exposure. Vines range in age between 18 and 46 years and the traditional Guyot vine-training system is used.

Winemaking

Winemaking is done according to tradition: a fairly lengthy fermentations on the skins (submerged cap for 15-20 days), with frequent breaking up of the cap and pumping over of the must, followed by maturation. Ageing is split, the wine firstly spends 12 months in concrete vats before 24 months in large French oak casks. 

Taste

A well-rounded vintage allowed for a well balanced wine that shows both power and delicacy. Woody notes and liquorice are prominent throughtout and notes of dried fruits and truffle show off  the bottle ages yet there is still some juicy fruit to be found. Tannins are well intergrated and grippy.

Food Pairing

Pastas with truffle, wild mushroom risotto, aged Piedmont cheeses and game meats would all be wonderful with this! There’s still some life in this however and it should age for a further 8 years.