Tenute Cisa Asinari Marchesi di Grésy 2009 Barbaresco 'Gaiun'

An odd vintage made great by a great family in Barbaresco, the Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco ‘09 is a polished Nebbiolo, making for a decent blind tasting against the greats of Burgundy. Although its blue-ish complexion is a dead give-away, its subtle earth, sinuous tannins and integrated fruit will shake even the sturdiest of palates.’

Like Grand Cru Burgundy, the Marchesi di Grésy wines are smoothly layered wines which evolve in the glass over time. The Grésy family have been benchmark producers in Barbaresco since the 1970’s, farming their vineyard Martinenga almost exclusively (since the late 1700’s!). When the Produttori del Barbaresco were busy making waves in the press, the Grésy’s were quietly crafting superb wines from their holdings sandwiched between the famous Cru’s of Asili and Rabaja. This is their 2009 Gaiun, one of two wines from specific plots on Martinenga, and it is a glorious wine, showing a more plush fruit expression on the front than is typical of this producer. Give it time however and the fruit unfurls itself in the glass, revealing a rich mid palate of baking spice, figs and perfect black fruit.

WINEMAKER: Alessandro and Ludovica di Grésy

VARIETAL: 100% Nebbiolo

APPELLATION: Barbaresco Proper

REGION: Langhe, Piemonte

IN THE VINEYARD: Organic

IN THE WINERY: 10 - 14 days fermentation with submerged cap, 24 months French oak/allier barriques (30% new + 70% used) & Slavonian oak casks, over 1 year in the bottle

ABV%: 14

SERVE:  Open, decant and let stand for 1hr, serve in Burgundy glass