Drink (and think) like a somm
Barboursville
Nebbiolo Reserve
Virginia
Monticello
Nebbiolo 100%
Violets, Forrest Loam, Dark Berry, Tobacco
12 Months
New French Oak 30%
Neutral Oak 70%
Elegant and complex, aromatically enthralling depth of violets, forest loam, dark berry and tobacco notes. Full body, a firm, dense structure followed by a seamless, sustained finish.
Low
Med -
Medium
Med +
High
ABOUT
Barboursville 2023 Nebbiolo Reserve
The pre-eminent wine of Italy, and possibly of all red wine, Nebbiolo has distinguished itself as one of our leading varietals since our first vintage, 1998. Our style is inspired by Barbaresco in cultivation and aging, and the wine unfolds in bottle at the stately pace for which it is so greatly appreciated by connoisseurs, for the most savory pairings of meats and game.
PAIRINGS
IN A PINCH
Roast lamb, truffle risotto.
DEEPER DIVE
This Virginia Nebbiolo resembles its Italian counterparts with high acidity, and high tannins but with an approachable medium body that makes it perfect for pairings.
Roasted game or grilled lamb are going to be especially good with this wine since it can cut through the richness and balance out any fat with its high tannins.
Similarly, mushroom risotto, especially truffles, fall into the “what grows together, goes together” category as the earthy tones of this wine complement the mushrooms notes while the acidity keeps the meal balanced.
STANDOUT FEATURES
- High Acidity
- Grippy Tannins
- Elegance
STEAR CLEAR
Fish is probably not a good option with this wine due to the higher tannins.
PAIRING SCALE
Light Dishes
Salads
Raw Bar
Med – Dishes
Fatty Fish
Roast Chicken
Med. Dishes
Lean Meats
Rich Poultry
Med + Dishes
Burgers
Fatty Meats
Full Dishes
Stews
Rich Sauces
CHEESE OPTIONS
Pecorino
Pecorino
Country: Italy
Animal: Sheep
Type: Hard
Texture: Grainy
Style: Salty, tangy, nutty.
Taleggio
Taleggio
Country: Italy
Animal: Cow
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy
Style: Mild, sweet, aromatic
Piave
Piave
Country: Italy
Animal: Cow
Type: Hard
Texture: Grainy
Style: Sweet, milky, nutty.
RECIPE IDEAS
SERVICE
WHICH GLASSES?
Large Burgundy or All-purpose glasses would be best to bring out the aromatics.
BORDEAUX
BURGUNDY
FLUTE
COUPE
ALL-PURPOSE
WHITE
DESSERT
SHOULD I DECANT THIS?
WHY “Yes”?
Nebbiolo is elegant but complex, and generally benefits greatly from some air after opening. This is probably a good time to break out the decanter.
HOW LONG?
Generally you would want to decant a younger wine for longer to help it open up and be cautious of exposing older wines to oxygen for too long. There are always exceptions of course, but this is a pretty good rule to follow.
Minutes to decant this bottle:
Year opened
SERVING TEMP
The correct serving temperature is important to show a wine’s true potential, but don’t stress over getting the temp exactly right. Use the chart below to try to get in the right ballpark.
AGING
WHEN SHOULD I OPEN THIS?
If a wine has been released by the producer, it means it is ready to drink. Wines don’t necessarily get “better” with age, they just change. Typically, this change involves things like losing fresh fruit flavors in exchange for more savory notes.
The moment you should open the bottle depends on your preference, so it’s more important to understand the evolution and the life span of the bottle than it is to try to time its opening perfectly. (It’s far better to open a bottle too early than too late.)
This bottle should probably be opened between:
20
-
20
Development
Year Opened
NERD STUFF
TECHNICAL NOTES
Alc: 13.5%
RS: 0.01%
FERMENTATION: 7-9 Days on skins in stainless steel
MACERATION: 10-15 Days
VINTAGE NOTES
On the early morning of September 7th, we completed the season’s harvest of our entire range of white wine grapes – and they arrived in beautiful shape. Extraordinary aromatics, depth, and balances of sweetness and acidity launch us now upon the happiest winemaking we could ask for.
This year’s harvest of Reds followed an orderly timetable of ideal ripening throughout, which reached its natural conclusion on the eve of the arrival of tropical storm Ophelia. The grapes we turn to for Octagon vaulted easily high enough to clear a memorable vintage of this benchmark wine, atop a richly age-worthy roster of Reserve Reds.
And this, my 34th harvest, also marks the first of Cabernet Franc from our new, ideally sited “Brethren” vineyard, named for the historic church beside it on Goodlow Mountain. In their own voice, this year’s Reds will carry the deepest resonance by recalling the wine which first drew national attention here — his Governor’s Cup-winning Cabernet Franc, from 1997.
PRODUCER
17655 Winery Road,
Barboursville, Virginia 22923
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Heritage
The estate of wine which Thomas Jefferson foresaw taking root in his own ground at Monticello would far from disappoint him to discover here at his friend’s plantation, for whom he designed the historic landmark mansion. That construction commenced in 1814, while James Barbour held office as Virginia’s Governor, and was completed in 1821, as Casa Vinicola Zonin was being founded in Palladio’s home province, the Veneto.
The assimilation of this plantation within the viticultural traditions of the Zonin family has conferred upon our work a heritage of agricultural passion and purpose through 8 generations.
OUR WINEMAKER
Luca Paschina, WinemakerLuca Paschina, a native of Alba, Italy, is a graduate of the Enology Institute of Alba and has crafted 35 vintages on the estate. Daniele Tessaro holds a bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Udine, bringing 18 vintages of expertise. Fernando Franco, originally from Armenia, El Salvador, studied at the Escuela Nacional de Agricultura. Edoardo Quinones contributes a wealth of experience with 28 vintages to his name.
THE LAND
Situated on the broad, rolling plateau and foothills of the Southwest Mountains in the Virginia Piedmont, running parallel with the Blue Ridge to the west, our 900 acres occupy ground of sedimentary rock of volcanic origin, and separate stratifications of sandstone and conglomerates, with sloping exposures of even greater variety.
In the temperate mid-Atlantic weather of our growing region, this estate presents the viticulturist with a dynamic mosaic of growing conditions. Some years favor one planting site for a given varietal, such as Cabernet Franc, and other years favor another in the same varietal.
The resulting engagement with the vines is exceptionally active and verifies the truism that the human hand, learned, seasoned, and schooled by many previous vintages, must be incorporated in any conception of “terroir.”
