Wine Advisor
Prunotto, Barbaresco Montestefano 1988
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This firm has been making spectacular wines recently. Their 1988s are excellent, and their 1989s potentially superb. The most forward and flattering of the current offerings is Prunotto's Barbaresco from the Montestefano vineyard. The 1988 Montestefano, which is evolving quickly, is delicious to drink. The medium ruby color is already showing some amber at the edge. The nose reveals earthy, sweet berry, spicy aromas that are followed by a smooth, velvety, textured wine with gorgeous fruit, and a soft, luscious finish. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Importer: Empson (USA), Alexandria, VA.
About the Producer
Prunotto is a wine producer based in Langhe, in northern Italy. It makes a range of wines from some of the region's most famous DOC and DOCG appellations, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba and Moscato d'Asti. The estate has its origins in 1923 when Alfredo Prunotto acquired a cooperative winery in Alba called Ai Vini delle Langhe. Prunotto did not initially own any of his own vineyards – he purchased and vinified grapes from around Piedmont instead. Now, the Prunotto estate consists of 65 hectares (160 acres) of estate vineyards, including land in several of the Barolo crus, the most famous of which is Vigna Colonnello in the Bussia sub-region. This vineyard, located in a natural amphitheater with mixed soils of clay, tufa and sand, is perfect for the Nebbiolo grapes that grow here. The single-vineyard wine produced from here is Prunello's flagship. Grapes are all hand-harvested prior to maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aging times and casks depend on grape variety and vintage, with the top wines like the Prunotto Bussia Vigna Colonnello aged for up to 24 months in large oak barrels. This particular wine then has 12 months in stainless steel and an additional 30 months in bottle. Bottle-aging is particularly important at Prunotto – all of the wines are released only when they are deemed ready to drink. Prunotto's white wines – a Roero Arneis and a Moscato d'Asti – are made in a fresh style, fermented and aged in stainless steel before release.
