Michele Chiarlo : Asili 2018

The elegance and complexity of a red wine from Piedmont signed Michele Chiarlo

The estate

The fame of the eponymous estate Michele Chiarlo has been written since 1956, when this oenologist decided to create his own estate and produce great wines from Piedmont.

His ambition? To enhance the terroirs and grape varieties of Piedmont and reveal their unique personality through a constant quest for excellence and custom-made vinification.

Located in the village of Calamandrana, within the Barolo appellation, the Michele Chiarlo estate produces wines recognized for their inimitable style, harmoniously combining aromatic complexity with supple and silky tannins.

The vineyard

The Michele Chiarlo estate watches over a mosaic of vineyards spread over 110 hectares, constituting a real treasure of the Langhe, in the north of Italy.

The wine

Produced since 1996, the Barbaresco Asili from Michele Chiarlo is made from a vineyard of about 1 hectare, facing southwest. Averaging 30 years old, the vines are planted on soils composed of limestone marls with a low presence of clay. Poor in organic matter, this terroir is rich in magnesium and calcium.

The vintage

A late winter precedes a spring marked by abundant snow followed by rainy episodes allowing to readjust the water reserves after a very dry year 2017. These conditions led to the rapid intervention of the estate team from May to maintain the health of the vineyard. Hot and dry, the summer favored a development of the vineyard such that it was necessary to eliminate 30 to 35% of the excess bunches, in order to ensure optimal and homogeneous maturity. The alternation of hot days and cool nights in September was a favorable condition until the harvest began on October 7, which allowed the harvest of healthy grapes of perfect maturity.

Vinification and aging

The manually harvested grapes are vinified in 55hl oak vats with wetting of the cork. Following malolactic fermentation, this wine benefits from a minimum aging of 2 years, including 18 months in medium-sized barrels and additional aging in bottle before its commercialization.

Blend

100% nebbiolo.

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Barbaresco Asili 2018 from Michele Chiarlo

Tasting

Color
The color is a beautiful garnet red adorned with brilliant reflections.

Nose
Aerial, the nose reveals with great finesse fragrances of violet, red fruits and fine spices.

Palate
Complex, the palate seduces with its silky tannins and its exceptional length.

Food and wine pairings

This Barbaresco Asili 2018 from Michele Chiarlo ideally accompanies a porcini risotto, a pork roast or a rack of lamb.

Service
For optimal tasting, serve at 18°C.