​Barbaresco D.O.C.G. Riserva Basarin Punset

Production area, grape cultivation methods and winemaking methods make this Barbaresco a truly unique and particular wine, an absolute excellence within the Piedmontese D.O.C.G.

For our readers, we reviewed the 2016 vintage, awarded with 90 Wine Spectator points, a score reserved for wines defined as outstanding and exceptional.

BUY THIS WINE: Barbaresco D.O.C.G. Riserva Basarin Punset for sale online on Wineshop.it

Punset is a family-run winery located on the top of a hill in Neive, in the province of Cuneo. In the local dialect, Punset means "top/end of a hill". This was the name chosen by the Counts of Neive to indicate the hill that dominated the splendid panorama that they could admire directly from their castle, even on foggy days.

The winery was officially founded in 1964 by Renzo Marcarino. Today it is led by her daughter, Marina Marcarino. Marina, during the 1980s, was the protagonist of a turning point for the evolution of the winery, adopting the principles of organic cultivation for the entire agricultural activity. Punset was one of the first Italian wineries to completely convert to organic, so much so that today it represents a model for all those companies that want to introduce these principles.

The reference grape variety for the winery's production is Nebbiolo, the protagonist of three different interpretations of Barbaresco and a couple of red wines from the DOP Langhe. Among the red grape varieties, the Barbera and Dolcetto vines are also successfully cultivated, while among the white grape varieties Arneis stands out. In short, Punset focuses on local and autochthonous vines to characterize its range of products.

Barbaresco D.O.C.G. Riserva Basarin is the most important wine of Punset. Basarin is the name of the vineyard where the grapes are grown. It is a particularly suitable area, well exposed and ventilated, marly and limestone, located in the municipality of Neive, on the border with Treiso and Barbaresco. This Barbaresco is obtained from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown organically and carefully selected to vinify only the best bunches. The winemaking process involves spontaneous fermentation by indigenous yeasts with maceration for a month. Aging takes place in Slavonian oak barrels for approximately 24 months. After bottling, the wine ages for a long time in bottle. Overall, the aging/refinement period lasts for over 50 months, so much so that it has earned the Riserva mention.

Let's taste it.

Barbaresco D.O.C.G. Riserva Basarin Punset 2016 is a garnet red wine, the result of a long aging period. The bouquet of aromas is refined and characteristic: floral and fruity aromas, especially of berries, are in perfect harmony with tertiary, spicy and woody scents and typical sensations of chocolate and cocoa. On the palate it is warm and enveloping. It stands out for its softness, with admirably smooth tannins and a solid body. The structure is important, with its 14% vol. The finish is persistent, long with fruity and spicy notes.

A Barbaresco for second courses of red meat or aged or long-matured cheeses.

Did you know the Barbaresco Basarin Riserva Punset? Have you ever tasted it? What do you think?