Cappellano - Barbera d’Alba “Vigna Gabutti” 2020 (750ml)
Price: $129.99
| Producer | Cappellano |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Varietal | Barbera |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 204253 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Cappellano Description
Augusto Cappellano is the fifth generation of the family to produce wine from vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba. His great-grandfather, Filippo, acquired substantial acreage there and, in 1870 established the azienda. At his death, his son, Giovanni, an oenologue, continued his father’s work, selling their wine to clients from Liguria through Piedmont.
The four hectares of vineyards owned by the Cappellano family are principally in Serralunga d’Alba and are supplemented by a small parcel in the neighboring village of Novello from which Cappellano produces his Nebiolo d’Alba. The vineyards in Serralunga are situated in the Gabutti cru which is on the western slopes of Serralunga at approximately 300 meters altitude. The land is farmed according to organic principles and the production of the wine is accomplished following the credo of “Vini Veri”: indigenous yeasts are relied upon, the use of sulfur is strictly limited, vinification is traditional (long fermentation, extended aging in large, old botte) and the wine is not filtered prior to bottling. The Barolo Chinato is produced by following the family recipe handed down generation to generation. The “medicinal” herbs and spices are ground using a stone mortar and pestle. Both the recipe and the process are family secrets.
Augusto Cappellano has a friend in Roero who owns vines and had joked for years, "These grapes would taste so much better made in your cellar"--so, beginning in 2021, they finally made it happen. Augusto produces roughly 4,000 bottles per vintage from his friend's vineyard, from Barbera planted in the zone's characteristic white, sandy soils. Vinified and aged in a combination of cement and steel, it offers bright, clean acidity and soft tannins which are significantly more polite than those found in Augusto's home turf of Serralunga. It nonetheless possesses a density, sappiness, and overall sense of equilibrium that is very Cappellano.
The situation for the Barbera is similar to that of the Dolcetto: grapes are sourced from a small parcel within the Gabutti cru in Serralunga d’Alba and production is exceedingly limited. In this instance, the wine is aged longer prior to release to give it additional time to define its identity.
Vinous: NR Points
The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Gabutti is bright, effusive and punchy, all of which makes it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Juicy dark red cherry/plum fruit, sweet spice, orange peel and mint are nicely pushed forward. This mid-weight, super-classic Barbera is a total charmer. The 2020 is the last Cappellano Barolo from Gabutti, as the vines finally succumbed to disease and were torn out.
Many years ago Baldo Cappellano asked me not to score his wines, so all Cappellano wines show up on our database as NR.
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