Franco Rocca Cantina Del Brichetto BARBARESCO “GALLINA” DOCG (2018) – Piedmont

THE GRAPE 
Nebbiolo 

THE WINE

Franco Rocca’s Barbaresco “Gallina” derives from his vineyard in the eponymous appellation just a few hundred metres from his Cantina. The southwest exposure protects from prevailing northerly Alpine winds yet the elevated and open situation contributes to grapes that are remarkable for their delicacy. 

In line with Franco’s philosophy of long ageing, the wine remains in Slovenian oak for 36 months which gives the wines potential to remain in bottle for years. When drinking the 2018, Franco recently declared that ‘it is still a baby’. But, already this wine has an alluring finesse. The bouquet opens up to a heady melange of violets, vanilla and tar with a hint of mint adding some freshness. This generosity is reflected on the palate; warm mature fruits of plum and black cherry are complemented by notes of cinnamon, liquorice and a backbone of clove. The tannins are still young but not oppressive. A wine that is both ready now and for the future.