Nebbiolo Stefano Occhetti 2021

Langhe Nebbiolo represents the first creation of Stefano Occhetti, the young winemaker who abandoned an engineering career to return to the hills of his Roero. Made from the 2019 vintage, it is a straightforward and sincere interpretation of a complex and eventful territory, gritty and difficult to work with: a red wine as dynamic as the willpower that generated it.
Stefano Occhetti makes his Langhe Nebbiolo by vinifying in purity the grapes that come from three distinct plots of land, between 260 and 280 metres above sea level and populated by vines that have reached 60 years of age, planted by his grandfather. Extending over the hills in the Monteu Roero area, the Occhetti and Bric Rossino-Vadonia vineyards offer exposures towards the south and south-east, while on the slopes surrounding Vezza d'Alba stretches the Sanche vineyard, oriented towards the south-west. The slopes are steep and clearly mark the landscape of the calanchi, the peculiar fissures of essentially sandy composition drawn by the ancient course of the Tanaro, before the river changed its course, rich in marine fossils, due to the original alluvial formation. Harvesting is done by hand, as is all field work, normally at the beginning of October, with the grapes being picked in 20-kilo crates. Quickly brought to the cellar, the grapes are pressed and sent to a spontaneous fermentation, conducted solely by indigenous yeasts, inside cement vats, while the stay on the skins lasts about 14 days, with a floating cap. Malolactic fermentation involves 15% of the mass and takes place in both wood and steel. Ageing takes place in used French oak barrels and barriques, for a period of 7 months.
Brilliant ruby red is the colour of Stefano Occhetti's Langhe Nebbiolo. It expresses elegant aromas, introduced by the floral of violets and the sweet-sour of raspberry and currant, wild strawberry and a more intense ripe plum. The fruity, earthy appeal continues on the palate, in a youthful, enjoyable sip composed of intense tannic texture and persistent, fresh juiciness.