DENOMINAZIONE DI ORIGINE CONTROLLATA E GARANTITA
SUPERIORE
First label in 1999
Characteristics of the vineyard
Variety: 100 % barbera
Planted in: 1930
Surface: 1,3 hectares
Density of vines per hectare: 9000
Growing system: Guyot
Pruning method: 1 shoot with 8 buds
Height: 200-260 meters
Exposure: south, south-west
Composition of the soil: limestone, sandstone and chalk
The work in the cellar
Fermentation with the skins: 12-15 days
Method of fermentation: traditional technique of submerged cap
Refinement in wooden barrels: 12-18 months in French oak barrels with a capacity of 500 litres
Refinement in the bottle: 12-18 months
La Riva (“The steep hillside”) reaches its organoleptic climax 4-5 years after the harvest and maintains its characteristic almond taste and rich aroma for at least 8-10 years, according to the vintage
Medium production: 9000 bottles.
What wine guides say
2006:2006: Flavours of sour cherries, iris and fern. Very fresh and warm taste, exuberance of fruit. (Duemilavini)
2005: The peculiarity of this wine is that the grapes are grown in a vineyard planted in 1930, and they appear to be excellent also in the not fabulous vintage 2005. The wine is deep-coloured and it shows perfect harmony between fruit and bouquet, on the palate it is savoury and gutsy. (Vini d’Italia del Gambero Rosso)
2004: Cherries, cinnamon, red flowers and cloves all indicate a well-balanced and juicy glass of wine. (Duemilavini)
2003: This wine is outstanding due to its complex taste and rich, fruity bouquet. It hasn’t suffered from the heat of 2003, and it is particularly fresh and fruity. (Vini d’Italia del Gambero Rosso)
2001: Ruby red. Sweet scents of sour cherry, strawberry, vanilla and thyme. Full-bodied and yet very elegant wine extraordinarily balanced due to the acidity. Pleasant and lingering finish with hints of blackberry and liquorice. (Duemilavini)
2000: It proffers a delicate palette of spring blossoms, earth and coffee, leading to a self-confident mouth and a luscious finish boasting liquorice and menthol. (Vini d’Italia del Gambero Rosso)
1999: I tasted the first vintage, the 1999, and it was soft, rich, sweet, and completely delicious. (Brook, Decanter)