Wine Special Guest Tastings  – Moccagatta from Barbaresco in Piemonte

SAVE THE DATE
March 12, 2019
6pm-8pm

WINES WILL BE DISCOUNTED FOR ON AND OFF PREMISE PURCHASE
Reservations are highly suggested if you plan to stay for dinner.  Call 410-854-7484

We are very excited to have Martina Minuto from Moccagatta Winery in the Piedmont.  Martina is the daughter and winemaker of Sergio Minuto , who owns Moccagatta with his brother Franco.     

Moccagatta is one of my favorite producers from the Piedmont.  I first tasted their single cru Bric Balin Barbaresco in 2006 and it was one of those wines that I will never forget.  

In the mid 1800s Giovanni Minuto owned property in Barbaresco.  His son Luigi began to produce wines from the vineyards on the property in 1913.  In 1952 the company was split between his two sons Mario and Lorenzo.  Mario inherited the Moccagatta farmhouse and established the Moccagatta winery.  Today the winery is owned and operated by his two sons, Franco and Sergio.  Sergio’s daughter Martina is the current winemaker.  The entire estate consists of 12 hectares.  Only 7 hectares are were the nebbiolo is grown for their Barbaresco.  The land consists of many hills and valleys and various soil types, this is the reason for the production of 3 different Cru Barbaresco.  

Each are distinct and all are delicious.   
 

We will be tasting 4 wines: 
 
Barbera d’ Alba
100% Barbera Grapes
A full bodied well balanced red with rich dark fruit.  Fermented in stainless steel vats and aged 6 months in wood 

Barbaresco
100% Nebbiolo Grapes
Only 6,000 bottles produced, aged in French oak barriques for 12 months and then a minimum of 9 months in bottle.
Wine Spectator 93pt
 
Cru Barbaresco Bric Balin
100% Nebbiolo Grapes
Garnet red color. Fine, complex, fruity, sweet spices and vanilla aromas. On the palate, dry, full-bodied, rich, warm, harmonic, quite tannic and good persistence.    
Critical Acclaim

Vinous 94 pts
Interestingly, the 2014 Barbaresco Bric Balin is a bit lighter in body and overall structure than the Basarin, which is unusual. Red cherry, plum, mint, sweet tobacco and incense give the wine its distinctive aromatic flavor profile. The tannins are quite present, but they are also nicely woven into the wine’s fabric. Today, the 2014 is not as flattering or showy as it has been in the past. Nevertheless, it is super-impressive.

Wine Spectator 93 pts
Warm tones of spice and toast greet the nose, while cherry, plum, licorice and vanilla notes ply the palate. Vibrant and balanced, with a long, green olive- and spice-filled aftertaste. All the elements are in the right proportions, but patience is required. Best from 2022 through 2036.

James Suckling 92 pts
Plenty of dark fruit and green tea aromas that follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Solid wine. 

Cru Barbaresco Cole
100% Nebbiolo Grapes
Tobacco, chocolate , blackberry fruit.  Only 2,000 bottles are produced from this Cru every year.