Barbaresco 'Crichet Pajé' Roagna 2015

The Barbaresco 'Crichet Pajé' from the legendary Roagna winery is an iconic red wine that ranks among theOlympians of world oenology, testifying to the prestige and noble quality of an entire territory. The grapes destined for this label come from the Pajé vineyard, located in the municipality of Barbaresco, whose name originates from the Piedmontese dialect identifying the appellation by which the different vineyards were once called. Since 1953, the Roagna family has dedicated itself to the cultivation of this handkerchief of land, reserving for the 'Crichet Pajé' the grapes obtained from the oldest vines, located at the top of the plot. In fact, the dialect term 'crichët' indicates precisely the highest part of the hill.

The 'Crichet Pajé' Roagna Barbaresco is made from pure Nebbiolo grapes from old vines located on the top of the Pajé cru, planted on marly soils characterised by a high content of active limestone, located at an altitude of around 230 metres with excellent south and south-westerly exposure. The bunches, harvested strictly by hand, are destemmed and mellowed in wooden vats for alcoholic fermentation conducted by indigenous yeasts, triggered by pied de cuve. The fermentation process is accompanied by a prolonged submerged cap maceration lasting about 3 months, followed by a very long ageing period of 96 months in large old French oak barrels hand-folded by steam. The final release takes place no earlier than a further 24 months of bottle ageing.

Roagna's 'Crichet Pajé' Barbaresco presents itself in the glass with a beautiful garnet red colour with orange hues. The intense, broad and refined nose is described by aromas of redcurrants, cherries, mint, kirsch, blood orange and dried flowers reminiscent of violets, roses and lilacs, adorned by mineral hints and deep hints of tobacco, leather and sweet spices. In the mouth, the 'Crichet Pajé' is very complex and elegant, austere and impressive in its persistence, chiselled by noble tannins of an almost chalky consistency.