"Brothers Sergio and Franco Minuto make excellent, modern styled Barbarescos from their vineyards in Barbaresco and Neive...Readers looking for an elegant and modern interpretation of Barbaresco will find much to admire in the Moccagatta wines."– Wine Advocate
Founded in 1952, Franco and Sergio Minuto's extraordinary 10 hectare Moccagatta estate holds vines in the two townships of Barbaresco and Neive. The Barbarescos come from three crus of radically different character – Basarin, Cole, and Bric Balin – each one vinified separately so as to enhance the character particular to the terroir.
"Basarin," from vines around Neive, has sweet black fruits and currants on the nose, but is firm and lean on the palate, providing excellent nearer-term drinking. Moccagatta is the sole bottler of the "Cole" vineyard (considered a continuation of the famous Montestefano cru, near Barbaresco), of which they own just .5 hectares. Matured in barrique, this is an opulent, muscular wine of great longevity, with silken texture. "Bric Balin," named after a cherry tree on the home property, is the jewel of the three Barbarescos, an elegant, velvety wine with dense red fruits, cocoa and spice, matured entirely in part-new barriques. A barrel-fermented Barbera of remarkable complexity also comes from the Basarin, a well-known source of excellent Barbera. Moccagatta also makes small quantities of a deliciously pure Dolcetto. Sergio's daughter, Martina, and Franco's son, Stefano, are now fully involved in the daily operations of the estate.
Vineyard Management: Moccagatta takes part in the EU regulation to encourage low-environmental-impact methods and to improve the preservation of natural resources in rural areas through agricultural and environmental measures. Integrated insect and disease control is carried out, through a combination of methods that includes sexual confusion and the integration of strategically-placed birdhouses in the vineyards. Sulfur- and copper-based products are used at the minimum dosage levels possible. Only organic fertilizers (manure) are used. This manure comes from traditional cattle farms where no concentrated feed is given to the animals. Cover crops (grass cover) are left between the rows of vines.
Farming Practice:Practicing Organic
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Italy » Barbaresco
Vinous 96 “The 2016 Barbaresco Bric Balin, Moccagatta's flagship, is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous allure, the 2016 has so much to
46dItaly » Barbaresco
Vinous Media 91 "Moccagatta's 2016 Barbaresco is a dark, inviting wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender and sweet spice give the wine much of its immediacy. Shorter
Wine Spectator 97 WS TOP 100 2019 Rank 11 "Offers an intense display of cherry, kirsch, rose, sandalwood and spice aromas and flavors. The kaleidoscope of flavors
Vinous Media 94 "A deep, sensual wine, the 2013 Barbaresco Bric Balin is shaping up to be a real jewel. Hints of orange peel, mint, spices
Wine Spectator 97 "Offers an intense display of cherry, kirsch, rose, sandalwood and spice aromas and flavors. The kaleidoscope of flavors is matched to a firm,
Wine Spectator 95 "A lush, juicy style of Barbaresco, this fills the rich texture with cherry, strawberry, licorice and leather flavors. Supple yet firm, with terrific
Wine Advocate 94+ "The 2010 Barbaresco Bric Balin is my favorite wine of the year. It’s a full-throttle Barbaresco with full servings of black fruit, spice,
Wine Spectator 94 "The emphasis is on the fruit in this round, smooth red, featuring cherry, plum, eucalyptus and mineral flavors. The structure is there, with
Wine Advocate 94+ "The 2010 Barbaresco Bric Balin is my favorite wine of the year. It’s a full-throttle Barbaresco with full servings of black fruit, spice,
Wine Spectator 94 TOP 100 2011 Rank 44 "Super fresh and focused, delivering pure flavors of blackberry, black currant, violet, mineral and a hint of tar. This
Wine Spectator 92 "This evokes aromas of cherry, leather, licorice, tar and balsamico. Tight and sinewy, offering a fine, lingering aftertaste of fruit, spice and
James Suckling 93 "Aromas of dark fruits and nutmeg follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a spicy finish. Like the linear line to
Wine Spectator 93 "A superfruity red, with strawberry and milk chocolate aromas that lead to a full body, with very soft tannins and a long, long
Wine Spectator 95 "With a touch of oak adding sweetness and spice, this red is totally seductive, from the floral, cherry and licorice aromas and flavors
Wine Spectator 92 "Aromas of meat and earth, with hints of berry. Full-bodied, with soft, round tannins and a long, rich finish. Closed right now, but
Wine Spectator 91 "Harmonious and refined, yet chewy and thick. Exciting. Full-bodied, with big, caressing tannins and a long plum, mineral and toasted oak finish. This
Vinous Media 90 "The estate's 2012 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Cloves, dark cherries, plums and smoke meld together in the glass. Soft, silky tannins give the 2012
Vinous Media 93+ "The 2014 Barbaresco Basarin is another super-concentrated wine from Moccagatta. The Basarin, from a sandy site in Barbaresco that tends to give more
Wine Spectator 92 "A broad, spicy style, displaying plum, earth and tar flavors, shaded by toast and vanilla notes. The firm structure shores up the finish
Wine Spectator 93 "With alluring aromas of cherry, black currant and flowers shaded by sweet spices and earth, this red is open and harmonious, though a
Wine Spectator 97 "Offers an intense display of cherry, kirsch, rose, sandalwood and spice aromas and flavors. The kaleidoscope of flavors is matched to a firm,
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