Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto Barolo DOCG 2012
Family is such an important thing, be it blood family or the family you make. I have a fantastic family here in Istanbul. However, that doesn’t stop me missing my DC family or my blood family in Michigan. Many Old World wineries have been in the same family hands for generations. There’s something so special about this that adds to the air of nobility in Old World wines-be the family noble or not. It’s a piece missing from New World wineries…for the time being of course.
A Family History
Cordero di Montezemolo certainly understands the importance of family. Nineteen generations, going back to 1340 have cultivated vineyards and made wine in La Morra, Italy. As an American who can barely trace her family beyond the great grandparents who emigrated, my mind can’t really even handle the though of 19 generations living in the same place let alone knowing nearly 700 years of their family history. Although if I had ancestors from anywhere in Piemonte I’d hope they would have stayed put too.
This is a beautiful wine and it’s obvious that Cordero di Montezemolo has put 700 years of winemaking to good use.
The grapes for this wine come from several parcels at the winery. Grapes from each parcel with uniform characteristics (exposure, age, soil composition, plant gender, clones, etc.) are harvested and vinified separately. After four to fine days maceration and 
another 10-12 days of fermentation in stainless steel tanks, wines are drawn off into different sizes and types of wood barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place. Wines then age separately for between 18 and 24 months in different types of French and Slovenian oak before final blending and one year of bottle ageing prior to release.
Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto Barolo DOCG 2012 Tasting Notes:
So beautiful. The delicate spice and floral perfume compliments aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit, tobacco, cocoa, and white pepper. With an ABV of 14.5% I was surprised by how elegant the Monfalletto Barolo presented. Rich and full-bodied yes but not at all heavy. Tannins were smooth and supple and intertwined with a ribbon of balancing acid. A long finish left you with longing thoughts of cherry and tobacco to remember the wine.
I love Barolo so very much and the Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto Barolo is a reminder of why.