Montestefano Barbaresco (1996)

About this wine

The 1996 Montestefano Barbaresco by Mauro Sebaste showcases the Nebbiolo grape's aging potential, offering a deep garnet hue with subtle orange reflections. On the nose, it presents a bouquet of dried cherries, leather, and earthy spices, reflecting its maturity. The palate is dry and decisive, with well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish. This wine hails from the Montestefano vineyard, known for producing full-bodied Barbarescos with rich fruit and powerful finishes. Aged for at least 18-24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, it has developed a harmonious balance over the years.

About the grape

Nebbiolo is a grape variety native to Italy's Piedmont region, with records dating back to the 13th century. Its name likely comes from 'nebbia,' the Italian word for fog, referencing the misty conditions during its late October harvest. In the Barbaresco area, Nebbiolo thrives in calcareous marl soils, producing wines known for their elegance and aromatic complexity. The Montestefano vineyard, where the 1996 Mauro Sebaste Montestefano Barbaresco originates, is renowned for yielding Nebbiolo grapes that contribute to the wine's distinctive character.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 1996 vintage of Montestefano Barbaresco by Mauro Sebaste is crafted exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes, renowned for producing some of Italy's most elegant and age-worthy wines.
• 👑 Barbaresco wines, including the Montestefano, are often described as the 'queen' to Barolo's 'king,' offering a more refined and approachable expression of Nebbiolo.
• 🏞️ The Montestefano vineyard is situated in the Barbaresco region of Piedmont, Italy, an area celebrated for its calcareous limestone soils that contribute to the wine's complexity and structure.
• 🌫️ Nebbiolo, the grape used in this wine, derives its name from 'nebbia,' the Italian word for fog, reflecting the misty conditions of the region during harvest.
• 🍷 The 1996 vintage in Piedmont was exceptional, producing wines with remarkable aging potential, making this Montestefano Barbaresco a prized bottle for collectors.

Palate profile

Producer

Mauro Sebaste Winery, located in Alba, Italy, was founded in 1991 by Mauro Sebaste, inspired by his mother, Sylla Dogliani, a pioneering female winemaker known as the "Lady of the Langhe." After Sylla's untimely death, Mauro left the family business to establish his own winery, focusing on producing high-quality wines. The winery manages 30 hectares of vineyards across more than 10 communes in the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato regions, cultivating native grape varieties. Today, Mauro is joined by his wife, Maria Teresa, and their daughters, Sylla and Angelica, continuing the family's winemaking legacy.