If you’re a fan of Italian wines, get ready to be enamored by the 2019 vintage of Ca del Baio’s Barbaresco Vallegrande. This year may go down in history as one of the finest for Barolo and Barbaresco, the royal couple of Piedmont’s wine kingdom.
The 2019 growing season was nothing if not leisurely. Think of it as the tortoise in a race with the hare—patient and steady but ultimately destined for greatness. The winter lingered well into February, making you ponder whether spring forgot its invitation. When it finally did arrive, it brought along some chilly, rainy company, which led to a delay of about two weeks in the grapevines’ development. It was a nod to the vintages of the late ’80s and ’90s, reminding us that patience in winemaking can sometimes be the secret ingredient.
The summer finally showed its face with a brief but memorable hot spell, followed by a cooler fall, allowing the Nebbiolo grapes to bask in beautiful diurnal temperature variations. Harvesting in mid-October seemed almost serendipitous, creating the ideal condition for producing wines that may age as gracefully as your favorite silver-haired movie star.
Now, let’s talk about the wine itself. With a full, lively red-ruby hue, the 2019 Vallegrande greets you with an aromatic bouquet that feels like a warm hug from a bouquet of red roses and violet petals. Add notes of sour red cherry and wild herbs, topped with a menthol whisper that beckons you closer to the glass. It’s already showing some age in 2025 with prune notes. It’s a tantalizing invitation that few can resist.
This Barbaresco is focused and tangy on the palate, with red berry and cherry pit flavors that dance playfully on your tongue. Firm yet fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity add complexity, hinting at the magic this wine will reveal in the years to come. This is not just a sip; it’s a promise for a decade-long conversation as this gem will continue, which is perfect for those who enjoy a long-term relationship with their vino.
As the only folks crafting Barbaresco Vallegrande today (besides the talented Fratelli Grasso estate), Ca’ del Baio holds a unique treasure in their vineyard. Their oldest Nebbiolo vines were planted in 1967—a fact that gives any Barbaresco aficionado some serious bragging rights.
In conclusion, the 2019 Ca’ del Baio Barbaresco Vallegrande is a striking testament to what slow and steady can achieve in the world of wine. So, find a cozy corner, pour yourself a glass, and let this beauty tantalize your senses while you plot how to snag some bottles before the rest of the world catches on. Cheers to good times ahead!
