2019 Eugenio Bocchino Langhe Roccabella
WINEMAKER: Eugenio Bocchino & Cinzia Pelazza
REGION: Piedmont, IT
VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
VITICULTURE: Biodynamic
This wine comes from a 1.5 hectare single vineyard called ‘Roccabella’, just outside the Barolo commune, which Eugenio and Cinzia farmed since the very beginning. Grapes ferment with indigenous yeast in stainless steel for about 2 months. After resting in concrete containers for few months the wine is then transferred in old big oak barrel for about 18 months. Roccabella has all the aromatics, elegance, and purity of its more famous Barolo, but is slightly less serious, and more approachable.
Eugenio Bocchino and Cinzia Pelazza cultivate around 5 hectares of vineyards in La Morra, right in the heart of the Barolo area. Some of them were once owned by Cinzia's grandfather, others were added during their now 20+ year winemaking career. Bocchino is old school in his winemaking, using techniques that require little elaboration. The couple preserves their efforts to reduce their input in the vineyards by not overdoing extractions and refusing new oak. The wines are really quite open and approachable with beautifully managed tannins, emphasising purity and elegance.