Negretti Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2020
Nebbiolo | Italy
We brought in this utterly gorgeous 94 point Barolo before the tariff rollercoaster. Translation: our price is really, really good.
We chose the 2020 vintage because it’s ready to open sooner – and we STILL set it aside for quite a while before putting it up on our site, because Barolo is like that. And now? Gloriously ready. A wine you will think about unbidden every few months because it was that beautiful.
This pours a light brick red and unfurls endlessly in the glass. The cheerful cherry nose leads into a handsome, classically structured palate, like thin iron rods wrapped in apricot fruit leather. Orange peel floats above sweet pipe tobacco and soft rose petals. There’s ethereal English garden energy – in his 94 point review, Raffaele Vecchione noted “geraniums, passion flower, hawthorn, jasmine and acacia.” Silky, sunny strawberries rule the midpalate, then we cartwheel into a spine-tingling finish of raw almond skins. Noble, symphonic, brilliant, pure, and profound!
The vineyard is Bricco Ambrogio in the up-and-coming Roddi subregion of Piedmont’s prestigious Langhe hills. Brothers Massimo and Ezio Negretti own six hectares at Ambrogio. Who else has a piece of Ambrogio and makes a single-vineyard bottling? The elite likes of Paolo Scavino and Bruna Grimaldi. Enough said. Get a couple extra because this can go to 2040 and beyond.
About the Producer
Massimo and Ezio Negretti founded the winery in 2002 on a premise of “ancient and noble traditions with a touch of unavoidable modernity.” Underlying the playful apology is real enthusiasm for balancing four generations of grape-farming knowledge with a judicious use of modern technology – from technological improvements in the cellar to stylistic winemaking choices. Negretti’s 13 hectares of vineyards are situated in some of the most esteemed Barolo crus, including Bricco Ambrogio vineyard in Roddi, and Rive vineyard in La Morra. The jewels of their portfolio are Barolo DOCG, Nebbiolo, Barbera d'Alba, and Chardonnay, but they also make lighthearted screwcaps including Langhe Bianco and a Rosé.
- Blend100% Nebbiolo
- WinemakerEzio and Massimo Negretti
- CountryItaly
- RegionPiedmont
- Sub-RegionLanghe
- AppellationBarolo
- VineyardBricco Ambrogio
- Farming MethodOrganic Practices
- Oak225 L French oak barrels
- Aging/Cooperage24 months
- StainlessIndigenous yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats over 25-30 days. Completed naturally occuring malolactic fermentation.
- Residual SugarFermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel
- Alcohol15%
