Marchesi di Barolo : Coste di Rose 2019

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Coste di Rose 2019 from Marchesi di Barolo

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an elegant ruby red hue, lightly tinged with garnet reflections.

Nose

The nose reveals an intensely floral bouquet dominated by wild rose aromas, the distinctive signature of this cru. Notes of wild mint accompany this floral expression, while hints of licorice, freshly ground black pepper and various spices gradually emerge with aeration.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds a structure that reveals both power and delicacy. The attack is broad and velvety, accompanied by a particularly supple texture thanks to refined tannins. The well-present acidity provides a backbone that gives relief to the whole, contributing to a sensation of mineral sapidity. Red fruit aromas, notably cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, unfold progressively, accompanied by tertiary notes of wet stone and powdered chalk. The elegant finish lingers without excessive bitterness.

Food and wine pairing

The Coste di Rose 2019 pairs perfectly with typical Langhe antipasti such as finely sliced raw meat, vegetable flans or eggs garnished with black truffle. It also harmonizes with pasta dressed in butter and grated cheese or preparations based on ragu sauce. For main courses, opt for red meat roasts, particularly veal, lamb or game, as well as long-braised meats. Medium to highly aged hard cheeses also make an excellent pairing.

Serving and storage

The Coste di Rose 2019 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until approximately 2039.

An elegant and fragrant Barolo from the historic vineyard of Marchesi di Barolo

The estate

Marchesi di Barolo represents one of the most prestigious Barolo houses, whose history dates back to the early 19th century thanks to the vision of Juliette Colbert, wife of Marquis Carlo Tancredi Falletti, who transformed the wines of Piedmont into nectars worthy of aging. Acquired by the Abbona family in 1929, the estate remains today under the direction of the fifth generation embodied by Ernesto and Anna Abbona, joined by their children Valentina and Davide forming the sixth generation. The estate currently controls approximately four hundred and thirty acres of vineyards spread across the most prestigious sectors of Piedmont, including the Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero and Monferrato Nicese appellations. In 2022, the house obtained SQNPI certification, attesting to its commitment to sustainable viticultural practices, notably the complete absence of herbicides across all its vineyards.

The vineyard

The Coste di Rose vineyard is located in the commune of Barolo, on a steep hillside whose remarkably abrupt slope facilitates optimal light exposure and air circulation. Facing east, it benefits from the rays of the rising sun that gradually warm the vines. The soil is composed of quartzose sandstone and very fine silt, a distinctive pedological composition that favors the production of fragrant and elegant wines. This unique geological structure, enriched by Tortonian sandstone formations rich in quartz, imparts a distinctive mineral signature to the terroir. A forest situated at the immediately higher elevation above the vineyard provides temperature moderation during critical ripening periods.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage proved to be a remarkable year for Barolo, characterized by an exceptional phenological progression. The vegetative cycle began with early budbreak in spring, followed by a late flowering that extended over several weeks. Grape ripeness progressed slowly and steadily through autumn, with phenolic maturation occurring gradually and completely. The climate was marked by early winter snowfalls that replenished underground water reserves, and moderate precipitation throughout the vegetative cycle maintained adequate root hydration levels. The region was spared from April frosts and extreme heat waves. This long ripening period favored the production of grapes possessing complete phenolic maturity, a remarkable acidic backbone and an exceptionally harmonious sugar-acid balance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Coste di Rose 2019 were hand-harvested, allowing for qualitative selection of individual clusters. Alcoholic fermentation was carried out at controlled temperatures, with a post-fermentative maceration phase of fifteen to eighteen days allowing for balanced extraction. Aging was structured according to a philosophy of progressive refinement: after fermentation, the wine initially spent a resting period in vitrified concrete tanks. It was then transferred to French oak barrels for the first year of maturation, before continuing its traditional aging in large Slavonian oak casks during the second year. This aging hierarchy allows for progressive and finely calibrated extraction of oak compounds, enriching the wine without overpowering the fundamental expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo