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Dear <<First Name>>,
It is a pleasure to connect with our U.S. Patrons List in the new year for a very special release from our cellars in Barolo. Beyond the red wines that we produce from the native grape varieties in the Langhe, over the last few years we have been a leader in the resurgence of a white grape variety in the nearby Colli Tortonesi, east of Barolo. Here in the hills of Tortona, the historic white grape Timorasso has been brought back to life to produce fantastic wines of texture and freshness.
We are very excited to bring to you two releases of this unique Piemontese white grape - Derthona 2020 and Derthona Scaldapulce 2019.
‘Derthona’ is the historic name for the area of Tortona from which these grapes are sourced, and ‘Derthona Scaldapulce’ (in its inaugural vintage) is a single-vineyard, incredibly rare Timorasso that could very well be considered the first Grand Cru of the appellation.
As we share these two very distinctive white wines, we would be remiss not to also reintroduce the white wine that changed everything for us at Borgogno - Riesling ‘Era Ora’ 2019. After 250 years of producing only red wine, Riesling Era Ora (meaning "about time") was the first white wine that we produced and since its first vintage in 2012, has grown a cult following all its own.
All three of these fresh, vibrant white wine bottlings tell special stories in the long history of Borgogno, and we are thrilled to be able to share these with you.
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Timorasso ‘Derthona’ Colli Tortonesi DOC 2020
Borgogno was the first “foreign Baroloist” to land in the Tortonesi hills back in 2015, as we aided in the resurrection of this once forgotten grape variety, Timorasso. Vines of this native grape were being ripped out in favor of Cortese (the grape of Gavi), but due to a few passionate producers like ourselves, important vineyards were saved and over years of hard work we were able to showcase the beautiful potential that comes from Timorasso wines.
This 100% Timorasso is sourced from vineyards on the hill of Monleale and those surrounding the village of Tortona. The complex soils of limestone and clay bring great freshness, minerality and structure to this medium-to-full-bodied wine that is quite versatile with the traditional cuisine of Piemonte.
2020 was a great vintage that resulted in wines of fantastic aromatics and particularly high acidity. Yields were significantly lower than in past vintages, but the growing season provided Timorasso with an intense stone fruit profile and vibrant minerality. Following a manual harvest and sorting, a 72-hour cold maceration takes place in stainless steel tanks before a spontaneous fermentation and development in concrete for approximately 24 days. The wine is then refined in steel for 10 months before bottling and resting.
- The 2020 vintage has yet to be released or reviewed
- 92 points, James Suckling (2019 vintage) - “This is from the local timorasso grape and is typically bold with lots of honeyed and mineral-coated pear and white peach. Floral notes, too. Medium-bodied with a tight, phenolic feel to the palate. Focused white with lots of interest. Lots of long, peachy fruit in the aftertaste. Brawny, different and delicious. Drink now.”
- $N/A per 750ml bottle
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The 2019 Vintage
2019 was a wonderful, classic vintage, particular for white wines in Piemonte. The growing season began quite cool and wet, refreshing the soils and bringing a slow start to the development of the fruit. The summer was quite dry with warm temperatures during the day that increased the phenolic ripeness of the clusters and aided in the development of rich, concentrated flavors. This vintage was particularly great for white varieties such as Timorasso and Riesling because of the huge swing in temperatures between day and night; after the hot summer days, the cool evenings allowed the vines to rest and further capture freshness and acidity in the grapes. At harvest we were incredibly excited about the intense aromatics in the fruit, but also the striking minerality. This resulted in layered and vibrant wines that are fantastic and flavorful now, but with ageworthy varieties like Riesling and Timorasso, also spectacular for long cellar development. It should be noted that starting with this 2019 vintage, all three wines have been certified organic.
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Timorasso ‘Derthona Scaldapulce’ Colli Tortonesi DOC 2019
If there were to be a “Grand Cru” Timorasso from the area of Colli Tortonesi - it would be from Scaldapulce. This parcel, at high elevation on the hill of Monleale, is composed of clay with limestone soils that provides a deep intensity and structure to a wine that is naturally aromatic and packed with minerality, expressing an elevated, powerful profile for the native Timorasso.
The classic growing conditions of 2019 led us to create the first vintage of Scaldapulce, following a manual harvest and cluster selection in the vineyard and then again in the cellar before processing. The fermentation was completed at cold temperatures in stainless steel before secondary fermentation in concrete tanks for 25 days. The wine stayed on its lees for 18 months in steel, in order to increase the texture and verticality of the wine before bottling and resting.
This is one of the rarest bottlings of white wine you will find in Italy. It is a bold, powerful interpretation of this indigenous varietal, Timorasso, that is savory, full-bodied and has a profile and aging potential similar to Grand Cru Burgundy. Only 53 bottles of this wine were brought into the United States.
- Due to the incredible rarity of this wine, it was not submitted for critical review
- Winery Notes - “Deep gold color with green highlights. It is intense and complex on the nose, with mineral notes. In the mouth, the Derthona Scaldapulce is savory, full bodied, structured and very persistent. A wine that lends itself well to a long aging. Derthona goes perfectly with rich recipes, with fish dishes such as anchovies, scallops, but also with Piedmontese cuisine appetizers such as russian salad, veal with tuna sauce, raw Albese meat with truffles, cheeses.”
- $N/A per 750ml bottle
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Riesling ‘Era Ora’ Langhe DOC 2019
As you read in the introduction, after 250 years of our historic winery only producing red wines, it was a Riesling that became our first white wine in 2012. This inspired the name of this wine - Era Ora - meaning “about time”. Riesling has a great history in the Langhe, producing some of the top wines in the region, and almost immediately our bottling gained a great reputation for quality from our customers.
Our Riesling is sourced from Madonna di Como in a very high-elevation, cool vineyard site that is composed of calcareous and clay marl, perfect for creating Riesling of great aromatics and texture. Era Ora is produced to maximize the freshness and minerality of Riesling with a 72-hour cold maceration in stainless steel followed by a spontaneous fermentation in steel for 20 days. The wine then rests on its lees for 6 months before a final 6 month refinement - all in steel to capture the natural aromatics and freshness of the varietal. This Riesling is dry with beautiful exotic floral aromas that is delicious as an aperitif and pairing with a variety of foods.
- 92 points, Wine Enthusiast - “Enticing scents recalling white spring flowers, citrus and wild herbs shape the delicate nose. Linear and racy, the dry, savory palate has great tension and energy, offering juicy grapefruit, apricot and sage alongside flinty mineral and a salty note. Drink through 2025.” - Kerin O’Keefe
- $N/A per 750ml bottle
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Deadline for orders is 7 February
- Orders should be packed and available ~6 weeks later
- Standard shipping included for orders totaling $N/A or more
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Tanti auguri and best wishes from all of us. If you find yourself in Barolo, please visit us for a tasting and tour of our historic cellar.
The Borgogno Team
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