Barbaresco 'Asili' Vecchie Viti Roagna 2017

The Roagna family counts among its ranks generations of vignerons, always operating in the town of Barbaresco. About a century and a half ago the patriarch Vincent used to collect his grapes during the first mists of the morning (from this practice derives the name Nebbiolo, italian for "misty") and to make wine, in his cellar right in the center of the Barbaresco village, inside his precious wood vats, as tradition. Likewise today, the fifth generation of Roagna winemakers continues to produce Barbaresco in the historic Paglieri farm maintaining, as a balance of her production philosophy, the exaltation of the biodiversity of every hill and of the elegance of every little detail that constitutes the difference between one vineyard and the other, without ever imparting forces. The choice of the cru Asili, purchased by Giovanni Roagna in the '60s, is the clearest demonstration of this: just below a quarter-hectare, perennial grass-covered, with clumps of wild mint, broad beans, legumes, and wild fragrant flowers that emerge from the rows of Nebbiolo, some of which have over fifty years of age. The soil of the cru Asili, with a limestone source, gives great structure and enviable tannins to the wines produced here. The techniques used by the Roagna family in the cellar for the production of Barbaresco Asili are more unique than rare: spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, very slow maceration (up to 3 months) to ensure maximum aromatic extraction from the raisin and to retain the most genuine characteristics of Nebbiolo, long aging in oak casks in a period ranging from 4 to 6 years. It therefore seems clear the greatness showed today by Barbaresco Asili, of which only 1200 bottles are produced each year: full-bodied and austere, is able to develop very well over time, reaching heights of absolute elegance, as has historically always been in the case of a Barbaresco respectful of the traditional model. And in this respect, Roagna have always made it in the best way.