Marchesi di Barolo : Riserva 2003

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Barolo Riserva 2003 from Marchesi di Barolo

Tasting

Color
This Barolo Riserva 2003 has a deep garnet red color with delicate orange nuances.

Nose
The bouquet is intense and complex, revealing balsamic notes, red fruit jam, spices, and wild flowers. With aeration, subtle hints of tar (characteristic of nebbiolo) enrich this aromatic palette.

Palate
In the mouth, this wine is full-bodied and structured, with austere tannins typical of the 2003 vintage. The warmth of the year is felt in its concentration and power, while maintaining a certain freshness.

Food and wine pairings

This Barolo Riserva 2003 will perfectly accompany the rich and flavorful dishes of Piedmontese cuisine such as truffle tajarin, wild mushroom risotto or slow-cooked red meats. Game and mature cheeses also make excellent partners.

Service and aging

To fully appreciate this Barolo Riserva 2003, a decantation of at least one hour is recommended to soften its tannins. Serve it between 16 and 18°C in a large glass. This wine can be kept until around 2028, warm vintages like 2003 offering a good aging capacity.

Other characteristics

This wine has a marked tannic structure, characteristic of Barolo from a warm vintage like 2003. Its alcohol content is high, a direct consequence of the high temperatures that favored a significant concentration of sugars in the grapes.

A Barolo Riserva from Piedmont with a powerful structure and assertive character

The property

Founded in the 19th century by the Falletti family, Marchesi di Barolo is an essential reference in Piedmont. Located in Barolo, in the Langhe, the estate covers 120 hectares of marly limestone soils. Today led by the Abbona family, it combines tradition and innovation, still using the historic "Botti della Marchesa". The recent acquisitions of Cascina Bruciata and Cascina Colombera testify to its continuous expansion.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Riserva come exclusively from vineyards located in the municipality of Barolo. The soils, particularly rich in clay and limestone, have a characteristic whitish color. This unique composition gives the wine a complex structure and a remarkable aging ability, essential elements for a great Barolo.

The vintage

The 2003 vintage was marked by a significant lack of precipitation and particularly high temperatures. These exceptional climatic conditions accelerated the vegetative cycle, allowing the grapes to reach their optimal maturity between September 22 and 30, about 20 days earlier than the usual average. The berries developed very high sugar levels while maintaining good acidity.

Vinification and aging

For this Barolo Riserva 2003, the carefully harvested grapes were quickly transported to the cellar where they were perfectly destemmed and gently pressed. Spontaneous fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 32°C. After 10 days, the first racking was carried out. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally during the winter before transfer to oak barrels. Maturation continued in large traditional barrels until bottling in the summer of 2008.

Blend

100% nebbiolo, the emblematic grape variety of Piedmont, recognized for its aromatic finesse, tannic structure and excellent aging potential.