Domenico Clerico Piedmont Wine Tasting with Special Guest Alejandro Ortiz

"Old wine and friends improve with age."
Italian Proverb quotes

We have a lot of old friends and old wine here at the Wine Watch.  Nebbiolo is my favorite grape varietal and Barolo and Barbaresco are 100% Nebbiolo so whenever one of our friends are in town from the Piedmont we schedule a date to drink some of my favorite varietal. 

Barolo is one of the world’s most age worthy wines, but there is very little of these older vintage wines available on the open market today.   I like to compare these Italian treasures to the great wines of Burgundy, another region that has to deal with harsh conditions with a varietal that is very finicky. Nebbiolo like Pinot Noir only produces great wines in the a few areas of the world.   

We have one of my favorite producers of Barolo in town on Thursday, July 27th with Alejandro Ortiz from Domenico Clerico in town to showcase some of the new releases from this landmark winery from the Piedmont.  We also have a few older vintages from this producer that we will showcase to show the aging potential of these great wines. 

The fee for this event, which includes dinner is $295 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any dietary restrictions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

Domenico Clerico Piedmont Wine Tasting
With Special Guest Alejandro Ortiz
Thursday, July 27th
7:30pm
2020 DOMENICO CLERICO TREVIGNE BARBERA D'ALBA, PIEDMONT, ITALY
2021 DOMENICO CLERICO CAPISME E LANGHE NEBBIOLO, PIEDMONT, ITALY
2018 DOMENICO CLERICO ARTE ROSSO LANGHE, PIEDMONT, ITALY
2003 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA BAROLO
2004 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA BAROLO
2009 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO BRICOTTO, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY (MAGNUM)
2010 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO BRICOTTO, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY (MAGNUM)
2017 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
2017 DOMENICO CLERICO AEROPLAN SERVAJ, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
2017 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
2018 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO DOCG, PIEDMONT, ITALY
2018 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
2018 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY

Menu
Parmesan Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma
Bone Marrow with Black Truffles and Orange Gremolata
Porcini Mushroom Ragout with fresh herbs, Chevre and Barolo Chinato Reduction
Veal Osso Bucco Ravioli with Barolo Natural Sauce
Hazelnut Biscotti with Grappa Whipped Creme

This tasting is limited to 16 tasters.  The fee for this event is $295 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any dietary restrictions and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

A bit about Domenico Clerico

Located at the heart of Barolo in Monforte d’Alba, the Domenico Clerico estate has been making iconic wines since 1976, when the eponymous young winemaker took the reins. Beginning with just a small 4-hectare farm inherited from his father, Domenico sought out the best undiscovered plots in Barolo, thus pioneering the idea of single cru wines. In 1977 he purchased a plot in Bussia, followed by plots in Ginestra and Pajana as well as Mosconi in 1955 from which he produces the ‘Percristina’, named for his late daughter. Today the winery boasts 21 hectares of prime vineyard sites, including a newer plot in Serralunga d’alba purchased in 2005, from which Domenico created the ‘Aeroplanservaj’ Barolo.

In addition to his devotion to single cru vineyards, Clerico championed what is considered a modern style of Barolo, using new burgundy barrels and later barriques to age the wines. He always had an eye toward the future, often experimenting with new technology and longer macerations. Despite his reputation as a modernist, the primary goal was always to maintain purity of fruit and expression of the land, which the Domenico Clerico wines achieve beautifully. Domenico passed away in 2017, leaving the estate to his wife and niece to manage. Along with winemaker Oscar Arrivabene, the family continues to shape Domenico’s legacy by producing timeless wines that embody the land and spirit of Barolo.

2021 DOMENICO CLERICO VISADI LANGHE DOLCETTO, PIEDMONT, ITALY
Price: $19.50     Your Price: $17.16
Typical violet color, with a nose full of ripe black cherry. Fresh and crisp on the palate with flavors of red fruit and a lasting finish. The Dolcetto is thoughtful, but still a playful varietal not intended to be compared with Barbera or Nebbiolo.

2020 DOMENICO CLERICO TREVIGNE BARBERA D'ALBA, PIEDMONT, ITALY
Price: $30.00     Your Price: $26.40
A classic example of Barbera. Long mouthfeel influenced by oak aging provides a smooth texture and lasting finish. Red fruits, chocolate, vanilla, and toffee.

2021 DOMENICO CLERICO CAPISME E LANGHE NEBBIOLO, PIEDMONT, ITALY
Price: $28.50     Your Price: $25.08
(90 Points) Very young and lively on the nose showing notes of cherries, raspberries, redcurrants, flowering linden, magnolias and gardenias. Medium bodied, a savoury structure of pleasing gustatory equilibrium and a drinkable, polished finish, very likeable for it's harmony and the quality of material.(Raffaele Vecchione)

2018 DOMENICO CLERICO ARTE ROSSO LANGHE, PIEDMONT, ITALY
Price: $48.00     Your Price: $42.24
A super Piedmont blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera from a cru site for Barolo. Intense red fruit, dark color, and tremendous structure. Oak aged, built to age in the cellar but also enjoyable too drink now.

2018 DOMENICO CLERICO AEROPLAN SERVAJ, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $135.00   Your Price: $118.80
Barolo, born from the overwhelming desire of Domenico to try his hand in new adventures, the “wild aeroplane”,as he used to be called by his father, in 2006 he chose to branch out from the town of Monforte and strike out in a new territory: Serralunga D’Alba.

2018 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO DOCG, PIEDMONT, ITALY
Price: $58.50     Your Price: $51.48
(94 points) The team at Domenico Clerico interprets this vintage with elegance and intensity. These two contrasting descriptors can be applied to the 2018 Barolo...which shows excellent balance overall. The bouquet reveals dark fruit, ferrous earth, licorice, and grilled herb. But you also get lifted aromas of wild roses and violets over a generous, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel." (8/11/22) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2018 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $115.50   Your Price: $101.64
This plot, originally planted in 1971 always manages to render the most elegant and aromatic undertones of Ginestra to its Barolo D.O.C.G. The proof of the versatility of this great geographical position.

2018 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $129.00   Your Price: $113.52
The first flag planted by Domenico in Ginestra and the first wine with which he made himself acknowledged in the world. One of the wines that in the last 30 years have made the history of the denomination in its entirety. The name of this wine reveals the importance of the vineyard: the "Ciabot" is a house among the vines, almost a shelter for tools; while "Mentin" is the owner from whom Domenico bought his plot of land. The name of the vineyard has still remained the same after the change in ownership ,as by tradition: the owners depart, the land instead remains. The vineyard carries its name highly and makes those who are lucky enough to work with it illustrious."

2017 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $129.00   Your Price: $113.52
(95 Points) Following a few tweaks to its denomination identity over the years, this wine has returned to its celebrated Ginestra MGA identity, showcasing fruit from old vines in Monforte d'Alba planted in 1978. The Domenico Clerico 2017 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin is a landmark wine that has forever dazzled and delighted, thanks to the purity and power of its fruit and its fine textural fiber. This 2017 vintage reveals a hint of vintage ripeness with candied cherry and orange peel, but the wine maintains its depth and complexity with plenty of tarry smoke and licorice.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2017 DOMENICO CLERICO AEROPLAN SERVAJ, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $150.00   Your Price: $132.00
(95 Points) The 2017 Barolo Aeroplanservai reveals a brooding bouquet of black cherry, licorice, leather, and tar, followed by a grounding and firm palate with black cherry pit, turned forest earth, cedar, and burnt orange citrus. The structure is balanced, though imposing in its youth. (Jeb Dunnuck)

2017 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY
Price: $129.00   Your Price: $113.52
(94 Points) The 2017 Barolo Ginestra Pajana shows harmony and a long, polished texture that builds pretty momentum on the palate and to the finish. The wine is seamless in a manner that Nebbiolo cannot achieve until it has had much more time to evolve and age in the bottle. However, this hot-vintage expression appears wiser than its years, showing a more accessible style that won't require years of cellaring. -Wine Advocate

2016 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO PAJANA
Price: $123.00   Your Price: $108.24        Quantity in Stock: 1
(96 points) The Domenico Clerico 2016 Barolo Pajana draws its fruit from a parcel within the Ginestra cru that was planted in two phases, first in 1971 and again in 1991. It lies 350 meters above sea level and sees looser sandy soils compared to the higher-altitude parts of the vineyard (that delineates Ciabot Mentin). These conditions lead to extra richness and a velvety texture. Pajana is guided by a deep sense of elegance and finesse. The aromas show a smooth succession of cassis, black currant, blood orange, spice, camphor ash and smoke. The wine's length is what stands out, as you taste those Nebbiolo characteristics for many long minutes. (ML)  (7/2020) Wine Advocate

2010 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO BRICOTTO, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY (MAGNUM)
Price: $412.50   Your Price: $363.00
(95 Points) The 2010 Barolo Briccotto is immensely soft and velvety with a bold and immediate style that is uncommon in the 2010 vintage. Compared to other wines from 2010 that are initially shy and hesitant, the Barolo Briccotto sings in a loud and clear voice the second you pour it from the bottle. (ML) “ (7/2015)  Wine Advocate

2009 DOMENICO CLERICO BAROLO BRICOTTO, BAROLO DOCG, ITALY (MAGNUM)
Price: $412.50   Your Price: $363.00
100% Nebbiolo from 30 years old vines. Maceration occurs over 15-20 days. A part is aged for 18-24 months in French oak barriques (60% new – 40% used-once) a part is aged for 24 months in 50hl Slavonian oak, then blended.

2004 DOMENICO CLERICO PAJANA BAROLO
Price: $190.00   Sale Price: $159.00         Quantity in Stock: 3
(95 points) Aromas of blackberry, plum skin and hints of cut wood. Full-bodied, chewy and very rich, with lots of tannins, French oak and fruit. This is dense and concentrated. Layered. Needs time. (JS) (6/2008) Wine Spectator

2003 DOMENICO CLERICO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA BAROLO
Price: $109.00   Your Price: $95.92          Quantity in Stock: 5
(93 points) The 2003 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is even better than the Pajana, with a superbly well-delineated bouquet and deeply nuanced layers of violets, spices, menthol and sweet dark fruit. It fully captures the essence of Ginestra, one of Barolo's greatest sites, in the rich, ripe style of the vintage. This gorgeous Barolo is only in need of further bottle age after which it should drink beautifully to age 20, perhaps beyond. It is one of the highlights of the vintage. Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is made from higher-altitude plots than Pajana and typically offers more aromatic complexity and detail to the rounder expression that is characteristic of Pajana. (AG) (10/2007) Wine Advocate

A brief History of Barolo

Barolo has a long history of wine production, the area was named some 400 years ago and probably came from the Celtic brolio or brol, meaning "wood" or "orchard".   The region of Barolo encompasses approximately 3,000 acres of vines situated southwest of the town of Alba, in all or part of 11 communes.  First is La Morra, with nearly one-third of the total acreage.  Following in decreasing order are Serralunga d’alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, and Castiglione Falletto, and parts of six other villages.  One of the most famous and most sought after vineyards in Barolo is Cannubi. 

There are two main valleys in the Barolo production zone: the Barolo Valley to the west, and the Serralunga Valley to the east.  La Morra and Barolo itself are the major villages in the western valley, which also encompasses Cherasco, Novello, Roddi d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte are the major towns;  Diano d’Alba and Grinzane Cavour are also included in this district.  There are distinct characteristics that are indigenous to the wines of various area:  the wines of Serralunga Valley have suggestions of licorice and tar, the Barolos of Serralunga itself display camphor and mint; those from Castiglione Falleto have a pronounced licorice characteristic as well as nuances of spice, mint, dried peaches, and prunes; those from Monforte recall spices, mint hazelnuts, and almonds.  The wines from the Barolo Valley bring up underbrush and truffle, as well as licorice.  Those wines from the village of Barolo have less of a licorice character but more suggestions of underbrush, truffles, and mint.  The wines of la Morra, especially those from the slopes, combine nuances of white truffle, mint, tobacco, spices, cherries, and blackberries and those from Cannubi display motes of white truffles, underbrush, raspberries, and black cherries.