"I can't say enough good things about the Sottimano family and the work they have done over the years to firmly establish themselves among Barbaresco's top growers." – Antonio Galloni
"From top to bottom, this is an impressive set of wines from Sottimano, a property that continues its rapid ascent into the top echelon of the region's finest estates." – Wine Advocate
Andrea Sottimano and his father Rino produce wines of outstanding quality from thirteen lovingly cared for hectares in the Cottà, Currà, Fausoni, Pajoré and Basarin crus in the Treiso and Neive townships. Their Barbarescos are elegant, evocative, subtle and yet hearty – to taste these crus side-by-side is to reply with a resounding YES to skeptics of terroir that question whether differences of only 200 meters does matter!
The approach here is one of minimal intervention: indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtering. No insecticides are used and only organic fertilizers are used, and only minimally. Natural cover crops (grass cover) are left in the rows between the vines and are mowed 2 or 3 times a year. In autumn the soil of every other row between the vines is tilled. Each of their four cru Barbarescos are given the same treatment to allow the uniqueness of each cru to express itself. Fermentation is done in oak, of which about 30% is new, followed by 18-20 months in neutral barriques.
The "Cottà," always the most fruit-driven of the crus, comes from 25-year old vines and features notes of red and black fruits and refined nuances of mint.The "Fausoni," from 40-year old vines, is the softest and most floral of the four, with trademark notes of mint and licorice and a firm core of vibrant acidity; elegant "Currà" is a big mouthful, extracted and built for the long term. The more traditional "Pajoré" from the Treiso area is the epitome of elegant austerity, with striking balance and perfect ripeness.
2004 saw the first release of a Barbaresco Riserva, made from a selection of old vines in the Pajoré and Cottà vineyards. Dolcetto "Bric del Salto" and the dry, still Brachetto "Mate" are also stunners from Sottimano, as is the barrique-aged Barbera "Pairolero" and the Langhe Nebbiolo, made entirely from declassified Basarin fruit. To experience these truly singular wines is to understand why they are rare gems indeed.
Farming Practice:Practicing Organic
Wine Enthusiast 97 Cellar Selection "Red berry, violet, forest floor, vanilla and balsamic aromas of menthol and camphor slowly appear on this stunning, radiant red along with
Vinous Media 95 - AG "Sottimano's 2011 Barbaresco Pajoré bursts from the glass with licorice, smoke, sweet spices and leather. Dense and powerful, yet also light
Wine Advocate 91 "Sottimano's 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo is a juicy, fruit-forward wine that paints a pretty picture of young Nebbiolo. The wine also makes a great
Wine Advocate 93-95 "The 2010 Barbaresco Pajore resonates off every corner of the palate with layers of rich, intense fruit. Here, too, the balance of fruit
Robert Parker 95 "The Pajore is the most complete of these 2007 Barbareschi. Sweet baking spices, menthol, minerals and new leather lead to a powerful core
Robert Parker 95 "The 2007 Barbaresco Cotta is terrific, perhaps because the qualities of the vintage are so well suited to those of the vineyard. The
Wine Advocate 92-94 "Absolutely nothing is missing in the 2010 Barbaresco Fausoni. It boasts great balance of fruit, acidity and tannin, with a long, perfumed finish
Vinous Media 92 "The 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo is a real stunner. Translucent and weightless in the glass, with tons of pure pedigree, the 2013 hits all
Vinous Media 94 "A dazzling wine of pure finesse, the 2013 Barbaresco Fausoni is supremely beautiful. For the first time I can remember in fifteen years
About: Sottimano Langhe Nebbiolo Grape: Nebbiolo Location: Neive Cru: Basarin Size of the vineyard: 3.7 ha Average production: 1833 cases The Langhe Nebbiolo is produced from
Vinous Media 90 "A highlight in this range, the 2015 Dolcetto d'Alba Bric del Salto is powerful and rich, yet also restrained and light on its
Wine Advocate 91+ "Located in the Nieve area, Sottimano sources fruit for this wine from across the larger Langhe appellation. The 2015 Langhe Nebbiolo is a
About The Wine "100% Dolcetto sourced from 3 different vineyards (totaling 3.5 ha) in Neive: Cottá, Basarin, and San Cristoforo. The fermentation and maceration happens on
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