| Kevin's comments: Countacc! is an old Piemontese expression used to show surprise and astonishment. This is what Michele Chiarlo felt when he created this wine from Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera grapes. From vines on Chiarlo's prestigious Montemareto hill, this is a full and complex wine of great intensity with a lingering finish and an aroma reminiscent of wild berries, ripe cherries and cocoa. |
MICHELE CHIARLO - PIEMONTE
Michele Chiarlo was born in the Monferrato region of Piemonte where his family has grown grapes for over 5 generations. In 1956 he decided to start a small winery in Calamandrana, a small village nestling in some of Monferrato?s finest hillside vineyards. Armed with enthusiasm and an iron will, he worked hard to make the best wines possible. After many years his business finally started to expand. He now owns 50 hectares of vineyards situated in the most prestigious areas and produces top quality Barolos such as Cerequio and Cannubi and a wonderful Barbera d?Asti such as his cru ?La Court?. He has built a cellar in Barolo to age the wines. In Gavi, he has built a modern winery near the Cortese vineyards where he grows the grapes for what many consider one of Italy?s most outstanding white wines.
Chiarlo?s Barolo Cerequio, Countacc! and La Court Barbera d?Asti have won many awards worldwide and are recognized as being amongst Italy?s top red wines. In the 2003 Italian Wine Guide ?Gambero Rosso?, Barolo Cerequio 1998 gained the top ?3 Bicchieri? award as did the 1997, 1996 and 1995 in previous editions. In the 2005 edition, 2001 La Court Barbera d?Asti was awarded the ?3 Bicchieri? as was the 2000 in the previous year. Thanks to this recognition, the company has been awarded the much sought-after ?Stella? ? a star which the Guide bestows on wineries that have received the ?3 Bicchieri? ten times.
MONTEMARETO COUNTACC! MONFERRATO DOC
Grapes: 40% Barbera, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Shiraz
Location: The steep hillside Montemareto vineyard is situated at Castelnuovo Calcea where the soil is very rich in magnesium. The vines were planted in 1995 with Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes and have a south facing exposure only. Yields are kept extremely low and strict canopy management is carried out.
Winemaking: The grape varieties were harvested and different times and were fermented separately. Skin maceration lasted 10-13 days. The musts were assembled together to complete malolactic fermentation.in small oak barrels followed by 12 months ageing in the same barrels. The wine was then bottled and left to rest in temperature controlled cellars for a further 18 months prior to release.
Notes: Countacc! is an old Piemontese expression used to show surprise and astonishment.
Colour: Deep garnet with brilliant silky highlights.
Serve: At 17oc with roast red meats, game and mature cheese.
Taste: An extraordinarily rich, persuasive bouquet with marked notes of ripe blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. The palate is sumptuous and highly elegant, with a lingering finish.
Will age well.for up to 10 to 12 years.
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