Sottimano Cotta, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy

A glint of garnet catches the light, but it’s the aromatics that truly arrest, dried rose petals drifting over forest floor, crushed berries steeped in spice, and the savory warmth of cedar and leather rising like mist from a sunlit grove. The 2021 Cottà Barbaresco is hauntingly elegant, shaped by old vines and aged in silence, offering a Nebbiolo that whispers with intensity rather than shouts with weight.

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Andrea Sottimano
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Farming Practices: Close to nature
• Vinification: Natural yeast fermentation; ~40-day maceration with submerged cap; spontaneous malolactic fermentation
• Aging: 24 months in French barriques (François Frères), partially on lees
• Filtration: No
• Alcohol: 14.0% vol
• Closure: Natural cork
• Aging Potential: Drink now through 2040+
• Residual Sugar: 1.18 g/L
• Total Acidity: 6.03 g/L
• Dry Extract: 29.97 g/L
• pH: 3.34
• Sulfites: 77 mg/L
• Allergens: Contains sulphites

Sensory Description:

A layered and expressive wine, the 2021 Cottà opens with dark forest aromas, dried rose petals, and hints of cinnamon, anise, and clove. Black cherry, currant, and blackberry glide through the mid-palate, anchored by smoky mineral notes and framed by fine-grained tannins. Beneath the fruit, forest herbs, and blood orange zest bring energy and lift. Concentrated yet poised, its finish pulses with spice, cedar, and a delicate bitterness of lovage. The wine’s precision, depth, and tension promise exceptional aging potential while offering remarkable accessibility now.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded in 1969 by Rino Sottimano with the acquisition of the Cru Cottà vineyard, Azienda Agricola Sottimano is based in Neive, where the Langhe hills roll between Barbaresco and Barolo. This pioneering estate works five distinct crus, all organically farmed and minimally handled. Cottà, their inaugural site, is especially revered for its 80-year-old vines planted with unusually wide spacing, remnants of a time when vegetables grew between the rows. The deep-rooted Nebbiolo here expresses the vineyard’s sandy-calcareous soils with singular elegance and depth. Today, Rino’s son Andrea leads the winemaking, embracing a philosophy of natural fermentations, extended macerations, and aging in custom François Frères barrels.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 64–68 °F (18–20 °C) alongside slow-braised pork knuckle with caramelized onions, beetroot risotto, or wood-grilled duck with wild herbs. It also excels with mild game, medium-aged cheeses, and earthy pasta dishes such as porcini tagliatelle. The wine’s freshness and structure allow it to evolve beautifully over a long meal or over decades.

With Barbaresco Cottà 2021, Sottimano delivers a wine of resonant beauty: a Nebbiolo that balances concentrated fruit with intricate spice and deep-rooted elegance, offering a sensory narrative both timeless and profound.