As with all Roagna wines, 5 to 7 percent whole clusters, including the stems, are included here – this contributes to freshness and a lower alcohol content on the palate and to an intoxicating herbal aroma on the nose. Luca makes all his Cru vineyard wines the same way: relatively late harvest, because full phenolic ripeness is very important at Roagna to achieve this incredible finesse and the polished, fine tannins. After fermentation, the pomace remains in contact with the wine for another two months before it is separated.
Then follows 5 years of aging, at least three of which are in large Garbelotto wooden barrels, with the rest in concrete. At Garbellotto, the wood ages for at least ten years before being made into wine barrels, making it mild and free of bitter aromas. Luca still uses new barrels only for his white wines. For the reds, the extremely slow exchange of wine with oxygen is the focus. The barrels are 10 cm thick, more than four times thicker than a barrique, so oxidation is extremely gentle and slow. Bright ruby red with a hint of orange at the rim.
What a perfect, concentrated yet ethereally fragrant Nebbiolo nose!
2020 is already an absolutely dreamy year for Luca Roagna just by smelling it. Yellow, dried flowers, floating blond tobacco over delicate red fruit, earthy forest floor, tar, brown leather, spicy cloves, ground brown pepper, blood, fresh meat – many intense aromas that still seem ethereally delicate at the same time. This wine is the epitome of Roagna finesse! Concentrated red cherry and plum emerge after some time in the glass beneath this complex bouquet. On the palate, the velvety, ripe fruit is very captivating – the fine, polished tannins melt away like ice candy in the sun. Mmmh! So dancing and floating – what a merciless beauty! A delicate hint of licorice with vanilla and rock salt on ripe raspberries, strawberries, and salty red heart cherries, rosehip, and red currant in the finish. A thrilling ride on the flavor rollercoaster! The intense minerality with iron notes and iodine becomes increasingly monumental in its intensity with time in the glass.
