Michele Chiarlo - Barbaresco Faset 2020
On the hills of the Langhe, a few kilometers from Alba, the Faset vineyard occupies one of the historic locations of the Barbaresco appellation. Located on the western part of the village, facing the Tanaro valley, this cru benefits from a particular topography, shaped by steep slopes and exposures favorable to the ripening of Nebbiolo. Michele Chiarlo, whose house was founded in 1956, owns here a one-hectare plot located in the upper part of the vineyard, near the famous Asili cru. The two terroirs, although neighboring, give rise to wines with different personalities: where Asili favors delicacy and floral finesse, Faset asserts more its structure and depth. Its grayish-white limestone marls, crossed by sandy veins and rich in magnesium and manganese, contribute to this particular identity. Produced for the first time in 2014, the Barbaresco Faset is reserved for the most favorable vintages and made in limited quantities. It illustrates the Chiarlo family's attachment to the great Piedmontese crus, with an interpretation of Nebbiolo that combines intensity, precision, and tannic elegance.
The 2020 vintage comes from a southwest-facing plot, located between 210 and 270 meters altitude, with vines planted in 1965. After a mild winter and a relatively dry early spring, the rains of May and June provided precious water reserves to get through a summer without excessive heat. The sunny days and significant temperature variations observed between mid-August and the end of September then favored a progressive ripening of the grapes and tannins. To control yields, the estate carried out thinning at the end of summer, keeping about six to seven clusters per vine before the manual harvest on October 1st. Fermentation took place over seventeen to eighteen days in 55-hectoliter oak vats, with a delicate watering of the cap to promote regular extraction. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for eighteen months in large oak casks before continuing its refinement in bottle. This process preserves the personality of Nebbiolo while supporting the generous structure and particularly harmonious ripeness of the vintage.
Behind its bright garnet robe, the 2020 Barbaresco Faset develops a deep bouquet of small red fruits, ripe cherry, and dried rose petals, delicately enhanced with spicy nuances. Aeration reveals notes of licorice, blond tobacco, and a slightly earthy dimension, announcing the complexity the wine will acquire with age. On the palate, Faset asserts its character through dense matter and a framework of tight tannins, whose particularly fine grain avoids any sensation of harshness. The generosity of the 2020 vintage brings flesh and a certain roundness, while the natural acidity of Nebbiolo preserves freshness and length of the whole. The finish extends on red fruits, spices, and a chalky sensation that highlights the personality of this terroir. Still young, this Barbaresco has enough depth to continue its evolution for about fifteen years, gradually developing nuances of truffle, leather, and undergrowth. It will pair wonderfully with agnolotti del plin with roast juice, a porcini risotto, roasted pheasant, or a veal rack with mushrooms, while an aged Castelmagno will offer a faithful match to its Piedmontese origins.
Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo
