Following its preview at Wine Paris, the italian debut at Vinitaly 2025
Calamandrana, March 2025 – Michele Chiarlo (link) is launching the Barolo DOCG Riserva Tortoniano 2019 (link), produced exclusively in exceptional vintages and available in a limited edition of 4,000 bottles. Presented as a preview at Wine Paris, the Barolo Tortoniano Riserva 2019 has already garnered critical acclaim for its complexity and finesse, and will make its official debut for the Italian market at Vinitaly 2025 (link). A benchmark in Michele Chiarlo’s portfolio for nearly thirty years, Barolo Tortoniano has become a true classic, featured on the wine lists of more than 70 countries worldwide. Only in rare vintages is a selection of the finest grapes reserved for the Riserva, as in the case of the exceptional 2019 harvest.
“Our Barolo DOCG Riserva Tortoniano comes from a meticulous selection of the finest grapes, primarily sourced from the Cerequio cru (covering approximately one hectare) with the remainder coming from surrounding vineyards. Produced exclusively in the most classic vintages, this wine undergoes a long aging process of two and a half years in large French oak casks, followed by another two and a half years in the bottle. Our goal is to capture the wine’s full complexity and elegance while preserving the unique characteristics of its terroir in such extraordinary vintages,“ explains Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker and co-owner with his brother Alberto.
The Barolo Riserva Tortoniano has its roots in soils characterized by calcareous marl and tuffaceous deposits from the Tortonian era, dating back approximately 9 million years. This distinctive marine sedimentary composition, rich in active limestone and with a naturally alkaline pH, gives the wine a solid structure, enhanced by pronounced minerality and freshness. In vintages where climatic conditions are particularly favorable for Nebbiolo, these characteristics contribute to wines with remarkable longevity and the potential to become Riserva. The significant presence of trace elements such as magnesium and manganese further enriches the wine’s aromatic complexity and refines its tannic texture.
BAROLO DOCG RISERVA TORTONIANO 2019
The 2019 vintage is distinguished by its elegant, austere character, reflecting the classic essence of Piedmont. From the outset, these wines display a complex bouquet enriched with well-developed tertiary aromas at their peak expression.“Autumn and winter began with abundant rainfall in November and moderate snowfall in December, followed by a dry January. February saw a few snowfall events, creating an excellent water reserve, which proved valuable during the summer. February and March were mild and dry, but conditions shifted in April and May with abundant rainfall, helping to balance vine growth, which had shown uneven bud break between the upper and lower slopes. May and June brought warm, dry weather, with brief periods of above-average temperatures. An unusual but crucial rainfall in early July, followed by a temperate, dry summer, fostered a gradual and even ripening process. The decisive period from September to early October, marked by ideal conditions and pronounced diurnal temperature variation, defined this vintage as truly exceptional.” says Stefano Chiarlo.
The harvest was carried out strictly by hand, between October 11 and 17, respecting the rhythms of what has been termed a super-classic vintage, yielding low production volumes but exceptional grape quality.
Vinification took place in stainless steel tanks, with 15-18 days of maceration on the skins and gentle cap wetting using the shower system, at temperatures between 27°C and 31°C. The aging process, lasting 30 months in medium- and large-sized oak casks, followed by another 30 months of bottle aging, enhances the classic character of this vintage, allowing for the finest expression of its dense and velvety tannins.
The Barolo Riserva Tortoniano 2019 opens on the nose with a rich and layered bouquet, featuring elegant spicy notes of tobacco and licorice, along with a delicate minerality. Floral hints of violet add freshness and harmony. On the palate, the wine presents itself with a full and enveloping structure, with refined and well-integrated tannins. This Barolo Riserva is ready to be enjoyed now while maintaining significant aging potential.
It pairs exceptionally well with structured dishes, such as roast pigeon with foie gras sauce and black cabbage.
