Piercarlo Culasso Barbaresco Faset Duesoli 2018

The usual magic - withered rose, hibiscus, raspberry jam, underbrush, mushrooms. Power dressed in silk. Not ideal glassware this time, but even in non-ideal conditions this Nebbiolo opens up and does its thing. Silky yet powerful, layer after layer. Drinking it in the Carpathians again - two days ago it was David Fletcher's Langhe, now Culasso's Barbaresco. Nebbiolo and mountains just work together.

Duesoli is a distinguished Nebbiolo wine that captures the essence of its unique vineyard location in the Faset cru within the renowned municipality of Barbaresco. The vineyard's name, Duesoli, is inspired by its remarkable geographical setting. Perched on a steep slope with a south-western exposure, the vineyard overlooks the serene Tanaro River. In the evenings, as the sun sets, its rays descend towards the horizon and reflect off the river's surface. This creates a distinctive double illumination that bathes the vine rows in a reflected glow, contributing to the distinctiveness and intensity of the wine.

Situated at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level, the Duesoli vineyard benefits from an ideal south and south-west facing exposure, which is crucial for the Nebbiolo grape's development. The unique microclimate and terroir of this region play a significant role in shaping the character of the wine.

The winemaking process for Duesoli is carried out with care. The Nebbiolo grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel containers for about 15 to 20 days under strictly controlled temperatures. This is followed by a soft pressing and racking, after which the wine is transferred to wooden barrels for further maturation. The wine is aged for approximately twenty-four months in French oak barriques, which have been used several times (various passages). This aging process in barriques imparts depth and complexity to the wine, enhancing its flavor profile.

The first vintage of Duesoli was produced in 2017.

The usual magic. By now this wine is an old friend, and the fact that it keeps getting picked out blind speaks to how distinctive and unforgettable its personality is. All the familiar notes are here - withered rose petals, dried hibiscus, barnyard funk, raspberry jam, underbrush, mushrooms, spices, and that signature silk-over-power texture. This vintage just keeps delivering, bottle after bottle. One of those rare wines where obsessive love is simply the rational response.

Gorgeous wine to drink right now. Yes, it has potential, but this is the kind of wine that doesn't punish you for opening it today - it only gives and gives. Beautiful and elegant. Withered rose petals, dried hibiscus, barnyard funk, raspberry and strawberry jam, underbrush, mushrooms, spices. On the palate it's silky yet powerful - concentrated but somehow delicate at the same time. Great acidity, still a touch of powdery tannin. Serious muscle here, but dressed in silk. Delicious and seductive.

To drink this bottle slowly and solo is a hedonistic pleasure. It develops, opens up, reveals layer after layer. Beautiful nose of withered rose petals, dried hibiscus, barnyard funk, raspberry and strawberry jam with underbrush, mushrooms, spices. Silky yet powerful on the palate, concentrated but somehow delicate. Great acidity, still a bit of powdery tannin - there's muscle here, but it wears silk. Delicious and seductive.

Oh boy, this is utterly beautiful. Already wearing its age on the nose - withered rose petals, dried hibiscus, that lovely barnyard funk mingling with chocolate crumbles. But the palate? Still kicking hard. Raspberry and strawberry jam wrestling with underbrush and mushrooms, spices threading through everything. This is power dressed in silk - packed and concentrated yet somehow delicate, feminine despite all that muscle. The kind of wine that makes you understand why people get obsessive about Nebbiolo. Properly delicious stuff.

The wine's high quality was immediately apparent from just a sniff. It boasts a complex and multilayered bouquet, rich with the aromas of sour cherry, red flowers, underbrush, mushrooms, and a variety of spices, all subtly accented by dark chocolate crumbles. The balance in this wine is exceptional, with each element harmoniously complementing the others. Despite its 14.5% alcohol by volume, the alcohol content doesn't overpower the wine's character. It has a pleasing fullness, marked by delicacy and persistence on the palate. Overall, it's a truly gorgeous wine that impresses right from the first encounter.

A warm, perfumed embrace of sour cherry, red flowers, and raspberry yogurt welcomes the senses, with gentle touch of milk chocolate, baking spices, and mushrooms adding depth. The narrative is soft-spoken yet profound. Tannin, though assertive, is well-integrated, melding into a medium-bodied and fresh silhouette. The fruit quality stand out, pure and eloquent. Almost perfectly balanced. A long, thoughtful aftertaste lingers, embodying complexity, charm, and a delightful essence.

This wine unveils its layers over the evening, asking for nothing but time and appreciation. Three hours of undisturbed communion, a self-sufficient companion for a reflective evening.

Barbaresco Faset Duesoli

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