Barbaresco Moccagatta (1997)

About this wine

This is a 100 percent Nebbiolo Barbaresco from the Moccagatta or Muncagota single vineyard in Barbaresco, Italy. The 1997 vintage at Produttori del Barbaresco is widely noted for its pronounced violet and cherry aromas, now joined by tertiary notes of leather and liquorice. On the palate it shows lively acidity and firm but softened tannins, with medium to full body and a clear savory lift. The wine’s texture is refined rather than heavy, and the fruit profile has moved from primary red cherry toward dried and candied red fruit with spicy, earthy undertones. The 1997 Barbarescos from Produttori are considered an excellent vintage for drinking now, offering a balance of mature tertiary complexity and remaining fruit presence.

About the grape

Nebbiolo is the ancient Piedmont grape that has been grown around Barbaresco for centuries, prized for its thin skin, high acidity and firm tannins which make it suitable for long aging. In the Moccagatta cru the Produttori del Barbaresco work with Nebbiolo planted on Sant Agata fossil marl soils at about 250 to 300 meters above sea level, where the clay and limestone content and the south east exposure emphasize floral perfume and focused structure. Produttori first bottled a single vineyard Moccagatta in the 1960s and today the cooperative tends vines of varying ages with traditional Guyot training and careful canopy work to control vigor and ripening. In this bottling Nebbiolo is used exclusively, its parcels are harvested and vinified to preserve the grape s natural acidity and tannic backbone, then aged in oak and bottle to reveal the long lived character typical of Barbaresco.

Quick facts

• 🏡 The name Moccagatta comes from the hill and an old family name, the Minuto family have owned vineyards there since the mid 1800s.
• 🗓️ Produttori del Barbaresco first released wine from the Muncagota vineyard under the Moccagatta name in the 1960s, making it one of the early single vineyard bottlings in the area.
• 🌿 Muncagota is the local Piedmontese spelling of Moccagatta, bottles from this site often show a distinctive floral lift and a subtle minty note on the nose.
• ⏳ The 1997 Barbaresco vintage gave Nebbiolo wines ripe fruit with lively acidity and firm tannins, which is why many bottles from that year have been aged for decades.
• 🌟 Bottles labeled Moccagatta from Produttori del Barbaresco are collectible, collectors prize them for their clear sense of place and long term aging potential for Nebbiolo.

Palate profile

Producer

Produttori del Barbaresco, established in 1958 in Italy's Piedmont region, is a cooperative that unites over 50 growers cultivating approximately 100 hectares of Nebbiolo vineyards. This collective effort has been instrumental in producing high-quality Barbaresco wines, showcasing the unique terroir of the area. The cooperative's commitment to quality and tradition has earned it a distinguished reputation among wine enthusiasts worldwide. Notably, Produttori del Barbaresco is the only winery in the region that works exclusively with the Nebbiolo grape, allowing them to develop a deep understanding of the variety and its different expressions across their extensive vineyard holdings.