It's hard to ignore the praise heaped upon Barbaresco estate La Ca'Nova. Antonio Galloni in particular can't seem to get enough of their thrilling wines.
In his recent article on 2018 and 2019 Barbaresco La Ca Nova’s Barbaresco crus was awarded the first and second highest scores in the article – beating illustrious competition such as Gaja, Giacosa and Vietti. Pricing still remains very fair and these are reminiscent of Produttori del Barbaresco 10 years ago, when you could buy their crus for very little money. If you wish you’d bought more Produttori back then, then Ca Nova is for you.
The wines are intensely aromatic, with firm structured built on fresh acidity and firm tannins – definitely built for the cellar. They are the everything one hopes a bottle of Piedmont can be.
One thought on Barbaresco… The top wines are generally significantly cheaper than that of neighbouring Barolo but have you ever had a bottle of great mature Barbaresco and wished you were drinking Barolo instead? Me neither!
2019s are due into the UK in May
Minimum Order £300
2019 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca’Nova
The 2019 Barbaresco Montestefano shows the greater body and breadth that is typical of this site vis-à-vis the Montefico. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice, leather and rosewater build in the glass. The 2019 marries pliant fruit with explosive energy along with the searing tannins that are typical of this very young vintage. The 2019 is quite simply mind-blowingly great. It might be even better with more time in bottle!
97 Galloni
15 cases (6x75cl) - £150 IB per case - SOLD OUT
2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca’Nova
The 2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is a powerful, dense wine. Sage, mint, tobacco, orange peel, kirsch and rose petal emerge from the glass. Just bottled, the 2019 packs a serious punch of Nebbiolo acid and tannin. A classically austere Barbaresco, the Montefico is a gem in the making. This is Montefico through and through. What a wine!
96 Galloni
15 cases (6x75cl) - £140 IB per case - SOLD OUT
2018 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca’Nova
The 2018 Barbaresco Montestefano is brisk and engaging. This is an especially strict reading of Montestefano that seems to have more of Montefico-like sense of vibrancy and tension. Rosewater, orange peel, white pepper and bright red-toned fruit are all finely cut. The 2018 comes across as a touch severe today. I would cellar it for a few years and see what happens.
94 Galloni
6 cases (6x75cl) - £125 IB per case
2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca’Nova
The 2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is fabulous. Most producers would dream of making a wine like this in a strong vintage, much less one that presented so many challenges. Rose petal, goudron, lavender, spice and blue/purplish fruit open first. The 2018 is relatively soft and supple, but that is not a bad thing for a wine from Montefico, where the Barbarescos are often searing in intensity. The 2018 finishes with real weight and intensity.
95 Galloni
7 cases (6x75cl) - £125 IB per case
2017 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca’Nova
The 2017 Barbaresco Montefico balances the structural framework typical of this site with the radiance of the year so well. Powerful and intensely mineral, the Montefico is a bit wild in its first approach, yet it has so much character. Bright red berry fruit, chalk, mint, sage and white pepper give the Montefico a brilliant upper register to play off its natural cut. I would plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years.
94 Galloni
7 cases (6x75cl) - £120 IB per case