Bricco dei Merli Barbera d’Alba DOC – 2015
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Introduction
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Merli is the name of the hill where this vineyard is located; Bricco (meaning “hill”) indicates that this vineyard is located at the very top of the hill.
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: 100% Barbera
- Grape Source: 100% estate vineyards located on the top of the hill; Novello village; Ravera area
- Cultivation: Vertical trellising, Guyot pruning, 100% organic (not yet certified)
- Vine Age: 1 hectare (2.47 acres) is newly planted; 1 hectare is 20 years old; 0.5 hectare is 15 years old; 1 hectare is 30 years old
- Soil: Limestone/clay
- Elevation: 300 meters (984 feet) above sea level
- Exposure: South-southeast
- Density: 4,500 vines/hectare (1,821 vines/acre)
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Vintage Report
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The 2015 vintage started with a snowy winter, leaving a very good water reserve that lasted the entire year. A temperate springtime led to earlier vegetative development than usual; and budding was regular, though early, with flowering at the beginning of May. After two weeks of precipitation between the end of May and the beginning of June, the summer was very dry and warm, with an average temperature of over 30°C; several days reached over 40°C. High temperatures continued throughout August, enhancing the speed of ripening.
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Vinification
- Fermentation: 100% in stainless-steel fermentors with 9-12 days skin contact, temperature controlled, with automatic pump overs; 100% with indigenous yeast
- Malolactic: 100% in steel fermenters
- Aging: 1 year barrel-aging in used, 25-hl (660-gallon) Slavonian oak; bottle-aged for 6 months. Bottled without filtration
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Technical Information
- Production (in cases): 830 (12/750ml)
- Cases Imported: 250
- Alcohol: 14.5%
Images
Reviews
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Bricco dei Merli Barbera d’Alba DOC – 2015 – 91 points – Wine Spectator
“Saturated with dark cherry, plum and blackberry fruit, this supple red shows a spicy side. Firms up on the long, vibrant finish. Drink now through 2020.”
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Bricco dei Merli Barbera d’Alba DOC – 2015 – 94 points – James Suckling
“A heady Barbera with a wealth of blueberry essence and balsamic character as well as kirsch and dried ivy. Full body, extremely round tannins, high acidity and a dense but uplifted finish.”
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Bricco dei Merli Barbera d’Alba DOC – 2015 – 91+ points – The Wine Advocate
"...The wine was aged in botte grande to maintain the brightness of the fruit and to prevent the wine from becoming too heavy. It shows a pretty level of fresh acidity and it also offers distinct mineral tones that come as a pleasant surprise. Aromas of crushed flint and campfire ash are followed by cola and balsam herb..."