Red Wine: 1995 | Domenico Clerico | Pajana

Excellent. Layered with tar, toasted oak, currant and herb, this full-bodied Barolo comes together beautifully on the ripe, round midpalate, as the concentration becomes obvious. Supple tannins, balanced finish.

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Producer: Domenico Clerico

Ratings: WA | 90 WS | 92

Vintage: 1995

Size: 750ml

ABV: 14%

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Country/Region: Italy, Barolo

Excellent. Layered with tar, toasted oak, currant and herb, this full-bodied Barolo comes together beautifully on the ripe, round midpalate, as the concentration becomes obvious. Supple tannins, balanced finish.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 1995 Barolo Pajana is a synthesis in style between a grand cru Burgundy and a first-growth Bordeaux. It exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color, lush black raspberry and cherry fruit, and a touch of black currants. The medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven, low acid 1995 Pajana should be consumed over the next 10-12 years. One of the most gifted winemakers in Piedmont, Domenico Clerico has fashioned this riveting wine from the vineyards surrounding the village of Monforte d’Alba. Clerico utilizes rotary fermenters, and new oak. This a wine of extraordinary richness, amazing aromatics, and a sensual personality that satiates both the hedonistic and intellectual senses.

• Wine Spectator: Excellent. Layered with tar, toasted oak, currant and herb, this full-bodied Barolo comes together beautifully on the ripe, round midpalate, as the concentration becomes obvious. Supple tannins, balanced finish.

Producer Information

Domenico Clerico is a small, high-quality producer near Monforte d’Alba in Piemonte. It is particularly known for rich, aromatic, single-vineyard wines from the Barolo appellation. The Barolo lineup is headed by Percristina, from a 1.7-hectare (4.2-acre) plot in the Mosconi cru, which is aged for 36 months in French barriques, then 24 months in Slavonian oak vats. As well-known (and a little easier to find) is the Ciabot Mentin, from a 5.5-ha (13.6-acre) portion of the Ginestra cru, which receives 24 to 30 months in French barriques. A separate 3-ha (7.5-acre) Ginestra plot provides the grapes for the Barolo Pajana. Aeroplanservaj (Wild Aeroplane) is named after the nickname Domenico’s father gave him, and is sourced from a rented plot in Serralunga d’Alba. The Bricotto cuve is rarest of all, sourced from just 0.3ha (0.7 acres) in the Bussia vineyard, and produces a mere 750 magnums annually. The generic Barolo is sourced from a specific 4.1ha (10.1 acres) of vines in cru vineyards, and is aged for 18 to 24 months in a mix of new and old barriques and large Slavonian casks. Capisme-e is labelled as Langhe Nebbiolo, but produced from fruit from Barolo vineyards, aged in steel tanks. Nebbiolo also dominates in the Arte Langhe Rosso which combines fruit from three of the cru plots with 10 percent Barbera, The range is completed by a Barbera d’Alba and a Langhe Dolcetto. Winemaking has evolved over the years and Domenico Clerico does not sit firmly within either the modernist or traditional camp. Decisions regarding use of barriques or large barriques have historically been taken at least partly with a pragmatic view concerning availability and ease of handling, and the big change has been to extend maceration periods from five to eight days to an average of 18. Approaches in the vineyard are perhaps more dogmatic. Vine quality is considered paramount and yields are amongst the lowest in the region. The estate in its current form began in 1976, when Domenico took over his father’s 5-ha (12-acre) smallholding, which had supplied the local cooperative. Over the years he has added small parcels from some of the best sites in Barolo and now holdings totals around 21ha (52 acres).