Barbaresco “Bordini” 2019 – Elvio Cogno

The Barbaresco “Bordini” 2019 from Elvio Cogno is a distinguished example of Nebbiolo’s grace, produced in the hallowed wine region of Piedmont, Italy. This offering highlights the Nebbiolo grape’s versatility and the unique characteristics imparted by the Barbaresco appellation, an area synonymous with finesse and complexity in winemaking. The “Bordini” vineyard, situated within this esteemed region, is known for producing Nebbiolo of exceptional quality, capable of aging gracefully while maintaining a delicate balance of flavors and aromas.

Nebbiolo, the paramount varietal of Piedmont, serves as the backbone for both Barolo and Barbaresco wines, revered for its ability to convey the nuances of its terroir with profound depth. The grape’s name, deriving from the Italian ‘nebbia’ or fog, alludes to the misty conditions common during its harvest season, adding a layer of romanticism to its cultivation. Characterized by its high tannins and acidity, Nebbiolo provides a robust foundation for wines that evolve beautifully over time, developing from youthful floral and fruit notes to more complex secondary characteristics of tar, leather, and anise.

Barbaresco, distinguished from its cousin Barolo by a slightly milder climate due to its closer proximity to the Tanaro River, allows Nebbiolo to ripen with a bit more subtlety, often resulting in wines that are approachable earlier yet retain the capacity for long-term aging. The soils of the Barbaresco region, rich in limestone and marl, contribute to the wines’ elegance and aromatic complexity, making the area particularly suited to expressing Nebbiolo’s more refined side.

The 2019 vintage of the Barbaresco “Bordini” is reflective of a year that provided optimal growing conditions for Nebbiolo, allowing Elvio Cogno to craft a wine that is both expressive of its vintage and emblematic of the “Bordini” vineyard’s specific character. The wine’s vinification and aging processes are carefully managed to preserve the grape’s intrinsic qualities while fostering the development of a wine that is complex, nuanced, and harmonious.

Tasting the Barbaresco “Bordini” 2019 reveals a wine that captures the essence of Nebbiolo in Barbaresco, offering notes of ripe red berries, violets, and roses, with undertones of spice and earth. The wine’s structure is defined by its elegant tannins and vibrant acidity, which promise to evolve, unveiling layers of complexity with age. This Barbaresco stands as a testament to the delicate interplay between varietal and terroir, showcasing the subtlety and strength of Nebbiolo when nurtured in the conducive environs of the “Bordini” vineyard.

In conclusion, the Barbaresco “Bordini” 2019 by Elvio Cogno exemplifies the exceptional potential of Nebbiolo within the Barbaresco appellation, highlighting the grape’s aromatic complexity, structural elegance, and aging versatility. This wine is not only a celebration of the Nebbiolo varietal but also a homage to the unique terroir of Barbaresco and the meticulous winemaking philosophy of Elvio Cogno. Through the “Bordini,” wine enthusiasts are invited to explore the nuanced beauty of Nebbiolo, a grape that continues to captivate and intrigue with its depth and diversity.