Domenico Clerico : Percristina 2015

Tasting characteristics and advice for Percristina 2015 from Domenico Clerico

Tasting

Appearance

With a deep, bright ruby-red hue, this wine reveals garnet highlights that reflect its concentration and its evolution after several years of aging.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and layered, revealing aromas of dried cherry, black plum, and blackcurrant. Floral notes of rose and violet mingle with spicy touches of licorice and tobacco. In the background, subtle nuances of white truffle, tar, balsamic herbs, and minerality bring remarkable depth.

Palate

The entry on the palate is dense and concentrated, revealing a full-bodied profile and a silky, polished tannic structure. The mid-palate is dominated by cherry flavors, supported by hints of orange zest, fennel, and spice. Bright acidity brings freshness and balance despite the richness of the fruit. The finish lingers at length, leaving impressions of black fruits, sweet-spice notes, and a saline mineral touch that evokes the limestone terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Barolo pairs perfectly with mature red meats such as braised beef or a thick, prime-cut steak. It also goes beautifully with game meats such as wild boar, venison, or rabbit. Truffle-based preparations—whether fresh pasta with white truffles or a truffle risotto—create remarkable harmonies. Dishes with wild mushrooms, especially porcini, as well as aged cheeses like aged Parmesan or Gorgonzola, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to decant Percristina 2015 one to two hours before serving to allow its aromas to fully open up. The ideal serving temperature is between 18 and 20°C. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2045, with an optimal maturity window estimated between 2030 and 2035.

An exceptional Barolo from the prestigious Mosconi cru in Piedmont

The estate

Founded in 1976 by Domenico Clerico and his wife Giuliana in Monforte d'Alba, the estate has established itself as one of the most influential producers in Piedmont. Starting from four inherited hectares, the vineyard now spans around 21 hectares across prestigious plots. A pioneer of organic viticulture and modern winemaking techniques in the Barolo area, Domenico Clerico revolutionized the approach to this wine while maintaining a deep respect for the terroir. Since his passing in 2017, his widow Giuliana and his niece have continued his legacy, supported by winemaker Oscar Arrivabene. The estate remains internationally renowned for its outstanding crus.

The vineyard

Percristina comes exclusively from the Mosconi cru, located in the southern part of Monforte d'Alba, at the heart of the production area for Barolo. The vineyard lies between 390 and 410 meters above sea level and benefits from full southern exposure, encouraging optimal ripening. The vines, planted in 1968, were 47 years old at the time of the 2015 harvest. The soil is composed of calcareous marls with fossil deposits, comprising 60.5% silt, 25.9% clay, and 13.6% sand, with a high content of active limestone. This geological formation, dating back around ten million years, gives the wine its distinctive minerality and exceptional aging potential.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage benefited from particularly favorable climatic conditions in Piedmont. A hot, sunny summer allowed for optimal sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness, while cool nights in September preserved the grapes’ acidity and aromatic freshness. This combination produced fruit of remarkable quality, combining power and elegance. The 2015 vintage is recognized as one of the best of the decade for Barolo, with more than two-thirds of the wines produced that year receiving scores above 93 points.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Percristina 2015 were harvested by hand with rigorous selection, cluster by cluster. After destemming and crushing, fermentation and maceration took place in temperature-controlled tanks to extract color and tannins while preserving aromas. The wine was then aged for 36 months in new and once-filled 225-liter French barriques, followed by an additional 24 months in large 50-hectoliter wooden casks. This total maturation of around five years in wood before bottling far exceeds the legal requirements for Barolo and allows the wine to develop exceptional complexity and harmony.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo