Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 2017 《Terroir Collection - TI1026》
Region : Piedmont
Grapes : 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol : 14% vol
🏅 Wine Spectator 90 pts
🏅 Vivino 4.3
Since 1956, Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying theessence of Piedmont, loving and developing the most incredible wine region inthe world. They cultivate 110 hectares of vineyards between the Langhe,Monferrato, and Gavi areas, within them the finest crus while fully respectingthe ecological criteria, terroir, and their expression.
Pietro Chiarlo was born into a farmingfamily in Bubbio, in 1898. As an adolescent, he worked as a farmhandand then the winery in Canelli, where he was assigned to washing the muslinbags used to filter Moscato.
After a period in Abyssinia working as a haulier,Pietro returned to Calamandrana determined to invest in the estate andproduction of wine. With brother Felice, he tilled the lands, breaking the soilby hand to replant the vineyards. The wine, he senses, is the future ofthe Piedmont hills.
Meanwhile in 1935 Michele Chiarlo was born,the first-born son of Pietro. Following middle school, Michele succeeds inenrolling in the winemaking school in Alba «provided he is always promoted».His class mates are the future protagonists of Italian winemaking: RenatoRatti, Ezio Rivella, Franco Ziliani, Giuliano Noè and Giacomo Tachis.
The passion for his land and viticulturalexperience take Pietro Chiarlo to the leadership of the Cooperative Wineryof Calamandrana, as president. A role he would hold until 1980, contributing tothe development of viticulture and oenology in Piedmont and Italy.
In 1956 Michele Chiarlo begins his adventureas a producer of wine. In years of hardship and misery, he understood thatthe road to the emancipation of the Piedmont hills was to be found in qualitywine, beginning with the choice of vineyards and most suitable areas.
The first cru of Barolo bottled under thename of Michele Chiarlo dates back to 1958.
Michele expands the boundaries of the market forwine. He was among the first producers in Piedmont to believe in thesuccess of Italian wine abroad. Beginning in the mid-1960s, he workedtirelessly to break down the doors of the markets of Northern Europe and theAmericas, earning the trust of importers and consumers across the world.
In 1972 Michele Chiarlo consolidates itssuccess. A larger, more functional winery is constructed in Calamandrana.Following the advice of his father – «have patience and make sacrifices, butonly buy vineyards in important positions», Michele Chiarlo began to select thebest parcels of land in Langhe, Monferrato and the area of Gavi. A meticulousand patient search which would lead him to the purchase of the most prestigiouscrus in Piedmont.
Raising the quality of Barbera and with it, thevalue of Monferrato, his chosen land. This was the dream of MicheleChiarlo who was among the first to create in 1974 a Barbera usingmalolactic fermentation. Finally, a stable, grow-up wine whose rusticity, ifduly managed would be the raw material for exceptional wines with internationalstanding. Beginning with this success, Michele Chiarlo continued to invest andbelieve in the Barbera d’Asti, helping to spread its rightful reputation andvalue across the world.
In 1987 Michele Chiarlo is among the historicfounders of the Consorzio Grandi Vini, the first supraregional associationof wine producers created to promote the exportation of quality Italian wines.
Michele Chiarlo acquires parcels of land whichproduce the finest Barolo crus. Cerequio, in 1988, in village of La Morra;the following year in Cannubi, the hill “blessed by God” and perhaps themost historic, important and prestigious crus in Italy.
Michele’s two sons join the winery: Stefano, totake care of the agricultural and oenological side, and Alberto in sales andmarketing.
In 1995 the Barbera finally has its temple. MicheleChiarlo acquires the Tenuta La Court, twenty extraordinary hectares inCastelnuovo Calcea, historic heart of the designation. Not only a place ofproduction, but a laboratory where wine, landscape and community find aland about which to converse. It was La Court which gave birth to the passionand would increase the investments made by Michele Chiarlo and his sons in theNizza Docg, the «Super Barbera» of Monferrato.
In 1996 Michele Chiarlo is among the foundingmembers of Hastae, an association of important producers of Barberad’Asti, created to carry out new experimentation and promote this wine and itsland to the world.
Nizza – the great adventure begins. Togetherwith oenologist, Giuliano Noè, Michele Chiarlo is among the pioneers of the newdesignation and the long battle for its recognition, crowned with the Docgdesignation, in 2014.
In 2003 Art Park La Court is createdinside the estate from which it takes its name. It is the first example of landart among the vineyards.
In 2004 Michele Chiarlo had the honour ofbeing selected to play a role in the Istituto del vino italiano di qualitàGrandi Marchi, which gathered together 19 highly prestigious Italian companies,with the objective of promoting top range Italian wines across the world.
In 2011 Palás Cerequio is born, thefirst relais dedicated to the cru of the King of wines, alone at the centre ofa fine Barolo vineyard.
Michele, Stefano and Alberto Chiarlo continue towork, following the tradition of a family business with an internationaloutlook. Attention to the details, maniacal care of the vineyards, vinificationwhile respecting the terroirs and the vines, artisanship of the processes.Characteristics which make the winery in Calamandrana one of the most importantoenological realities in Piedmont, firmly believing in the exclusivity andcontinued investment in indigenous grape varieties.
🏅 Wine Spectator 90 pts
A fragrant version, offering rose, mint, cherry, licorice and tar aromas and flavors, this is backed by a stiff core of tannins, yet stays fresh through the lingering finish. Best from 2024 through 2038. 550 cases made, 500 cases imported.
💰$698/ bottle
