Barolo Tortoniano Michele Chiarlo 2021

Tortoniano takes its name from the Tortonian-era marl beneath its vines, a limestone-rich soil of marine origin. Michele Chiarlo builds this 100% Nebbiolo Barolo from plots in the township of Novello together with younger vines in the Cerequio MGA. Stefano Chiarlo ferments in steel with a 15-to-18-day maceration, wetting the cap with a gentle shower system, then completes malolactic and ages the wine at least 24 months in medium-sized oak casks. The 2021 season in Piedmont was an exceptional one, and it shows here as balance rather than weight. Rose petal, sour cherry and raspberry meet orange peel, black tea, a cool menthol note and a hint of leather, carried by brisk acidity and gentle, finely grained tannins. Pour it with tajarin with butter and truffle, braised veal shank or porcini risotto.