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Date February 28, 2014 
Title Some Gorgeous Italians from Az. Agricola Ferro Carlo 
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Are you ready for some rich, elegant and delicious red wines from Italy - Piedmonte to be precise? Well, we have them for you; the magnificent Barbera d’Asti (and more) from Az. Agricola Ferro Carlo.

Az. Agricola Ferro Carlo and Its Wonderful Barbera d’Asti

Az. Agricola Ferro Carlo was one of our initial wineries and the first one to be listed by LCBO Vintages. We came across its owner, Carlo Ferro (along with his good friend and fellow vintner, Lionello Rosso) at a wine show in Cannes in 2006. Actually, Carlo found us. He was looking to expand the market for his wines and Hélène was searching for someone with whom to practice her newly acquired Italian language skills. After a twenty minute conversation, to which I was merely a silent observer, Hélène pronounced that we just had to represent Carlo’s wines. I noted somewhat ironically that we hadn’t even tried them! I wonder why she was so enthusiastic? Hmmm.

We did get to taste Carlo’s wines a few days later at the wine fair, VinIsud and I have to admit that I learned to share Hélène’s ardor for these classy Italian reds. They were lively, complex, elegant and obviously very well made.

The Ferro Carlo estate is comprised of ten hectares of vineyards in the borough of Agliano Terme (the village of Agliano Terme is pictured above), set between the Langhe and Monferrato districts in Piedmont (north-west corner of Italy). The third generation family-run winery grows Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grignolino grapes in its meticulously maintained, south facing vineyards that are 300 metres above sea level. This is a small,   artisanal winery that greatly respects their terroir, imposes minimal intervention on the grape growing and wine production processes and sagely combines traditional practices with modern ways in crafting their delicious elixirs. Their five primary labels are “Giulia”, “Notturno”, “Tre Lune”, “Roche” and “Paolo”, each unique and delicious in its own special way.

Barbera d’Asti                                                                   

Burton Anderson, an internationally acclaimed Italian wine authority who has lived in Tuscany for more than twenty-five years says this about Barbera d’Asti in his book, ‘Wines of Italy’, “The best wines are robust and full-bodied, with good acidity and are fuller and livelier then Barbera d’Alba. At its best Barbera d’Asti is hard to beat. Most is drunk fairly young. Some producers’ rich, structured wines will age a decade or more, though styles vary greatly in this vast zone of abundant production.”

Vintages in Piedmont

Berry Broṣ & Rudd, the fabled London wine and spirits merchants rate the recent vintages in the Piedmont area:

2012
not yet rated
2011
7/10
2010
9/10
2009
9/10
2008
8/10
2007
7/10
2006
10/10

The Luscious Wines of Ferro Carlo

We are delighted to offer you three distinctive 100% Barbera d’Asti – 2012 “Giulia”, 2010 Notturno and 2006 “Paolo”, a 100% Nebbiolo – 2012 “Tre Vigna” and a splendid blend – 2010 “Roche” as well as two intriguing samplers from Carlo’s cave. All five are hand-crafted and represent the finest in artisanal winemaking. We will be taking your orders for these fine wines to the LCBO on Friday, March 14th.

2012 Barbera d’Asti “Giulia” – 14.0% Alc./Vol.                             $22/$132 for 6
This little beauty, named after Carlo’s daughter is crafted from 100% meticulously selected Barbera d’Asti grapes with a yield of only 42 hectolitres per hectare. After resting a year in steel tanks, it matures a further six months in the bottle before it is released. It sees no oak. This is a full-bodied wine that displays pleasing notes of raspberry, black cherry, leather and resin. It is full, round, lively and has a good tannic grip.  While drinking well now, it promises to last for several years. I would decant this surprisingly complex wine at least an hour before serving – with BBQ fare, stews and most pasta dishes. This is one delicious wine for the money. Order this spritely mouthful of Barbera d’Asti now.

2012 Nebbiolo “Tre Lune” – 14.0% Alc./Vol.                                  $24/$144 for 6
This luscious beauty is made completely from Nebbiolo (the great black grape variety responsible for some of the finest and longest lived wines in Italy - Barolo & Barbaresco ; it is native, and almost confined to the Piedmont region in the north west and is its most distinctive and distinguished vine – Jancis Robinson: The Oxford Companion to Wine). Yield is restricted to only forty hectolitres per hectare and the grapes are hand-selected for this little masterpiece. After traditional vinification, it rests in oak barriques for three months (tre lune). A medium ruby with garnet edges, it offers up aromas of roses, spices, tar, violets, cherries and tobacco. It is medium-bodied, a bit unbalanced at present, possesses good acidity and a bold tannic structure. I would hold it for at least six months and know it will age well for several years. Decanted several hours in advance, it will go wonderfully with game, spice pasta dishes and grilled meats. Order your Piedmonte Nebbiolo classic now.

2010 Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Notturno” – 14.5% Alc./Vol.  $25/$150 for 6
This absolute delight from a very good vintage is made from 100% hand-selected Barbera d’Asti. The yield is a stingy 35 hectolitres per hectare. It is vinified and kept in steel tanks for the first six months before being transferred to large oak barrels where it matures for at least a year.  It is a deep ruby colour with attractive aromas of plum, black cherry, smoke, tar and blueberry. It is dry, substantially fruity and is surrounded by a crisp/tangy core. This medium-bodied, rich and elegant wine would go well with almost any pasta dish, grilled meats and charcuterie.  I would decant it at least an hour before serving and  believe it will mature beautifully in the cellar for at least five to seven years. This is really yummy stuff! Order this Barbera d’Asti mouthful now.

Carlo’s Sampler  – 14.0%/14.5%  Alc./Vol.                                      $24/$144 for 6
What a terrific way to experience all three of Carlo’s traditional wines – the 2012 Barbera d’Asti “Giulia”, the 2012 Nebbiolo “Tre Lune” and the 2010 Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Notturno”. You get two bottles of each in this spiffy six-pack that is bound to thrill any fan of very well made wine from the north of Italy. Order your half dozen bottles of sheer delight from Piedmonte now.

2010 Barbera d’Asti “Roche” – 14.5% Alc./Vol.                            $34/$204 for 6
“Roche” is the granddaddy of Carlo’s Barbera d’Asti wines. Named after the hill on which the vineyard is situated and  considered one of the best Barbera growing locations in all of Agliano Terme, it is lovingly created from 100% Barbera d’Asti. Like the Notturno, the yield is a very selective 35 hectolitres per hectare and comes from gnarly old vines exceeding fifty years of age. It too is vinified in steel vats and is matured for a year in new French barriques – small oak barrels. This is a huge, ruby red wine with excellent structure, body and aroma. It has a powerful bouquet of black cherries, leather, coffee, vanilla and chocolate that all persist in the mouth. This is a real keeper that belongs in any cellar where it should remain and happily mature for at least a decade. I loved it. Order some of the best from Piedmonte now.

2006 Monferrato Rosso “Paolo” – 14.5% Alc./Vol.                                  $37/$222 for 6
Here we have something quite different and very special – a blend of the finest Barbera d’Asti, Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon found on the Ferro Carlo estate. Named after Carlo’s son, “Paolo” is an intense ruby red with glints of garnet.  It was aged in small French oak barrels and then further bottle aged in Carlo’s cellars. Note that it is from the superb 2006 vintage and is already a mature wine ready to drink – although it will hang around quite happily for another decade or two The nose is chock full of black cherries, stewed plums, old leather, wet pebbles, tobacco and a trace of tar and rose water. It is a medium to full-bodied powerhouse of a wine with great structure and balance, silky tannins and great depth. It lingers seductively long after consuming. It will benefit from a couple of hours in the decanter before serving just a little below room temperature with just about anything, but particularly a fine prime rib of beef (don’t forget the Yorkshire pudding!) This is a truly first-rate wine that I predict will totally charm you. Order Carlo’s tour de force now.

Ferro Luxe Sampler – 14.5%  Alc./Vol.                                              $36/$216 for 6
And what a sampler it is! You get three bottles each of Carlo’s flagship wines – the magnificent 2010 Barbera d’Asti “Roche” and the stunning 2006 “Paolo”, a blend of his finest Barbera d’Asti, Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon in a six-bottle treasure chest. These are two very, very good wines and I know you will thank me each time you open one of them. Order your pulchritudinous packet of pure Piedmonte pleasure now.


The above wines include a modest handling fee.

Incidentally, Piedmonte is an absolutely wonderful place to visit – great vistas, wonderful restaurants, delightful people, first rate wineries and best of all, it isn’t overrun by tourists.

Please pass this note on to anyone you think might be interested in some great Barbera d’Asti and other truly lip-smackin’ good wines from Piedmonte.

Cheers!

Jim and Hélène
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.ofrance.ca