Marcalberto – 2021 Metodo Classico Extra Brut Millesimato

Marcalberto – 2021 Metodo Classico Extra Brut Millesimato.

In the world of traditional method sparkling wines, the term millesimato or millésime carries particular significance. Unlike non-vintage cuvées that blend several harvests to achieve consistency, a millesimato captures the identity of one specific vintage, allowing the conditions of that year to shape the wine’s character. For producers who believe strongly in the dialogue between terroir and season, this approach offers the most authentic expression of their vineyards.

The Metodo Classico Extra Brut 2021 by Marcalberto is conceived precisely with this intention. Carefully selected musts from a single harvest are vinified to highlight the distinctive qualities of the vintage. With its low dosage and extended ageing on the lees, the wine presents a refined interpretation of Alta Langa sparkling wine, deep-layered and perfect as gastronomic companionship. 

About the Region

The Alta Langa DOCG is Piedmont’s historic appellation dedicated exclusively to traditional method sparkling wines. Despite its modest size, the region holds a special place in Italian wine history: it was here, in the mid-19th century, that Italy’s first Metodo Classico wines were produced in the cellars of Canelli, the famous Underground Cathedrals are now being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alta Langa wines are made primarily from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, either individually or blended, and must always be vintage-dated, meaning the harvest year appears on every label. Strict regulations require the wines to age at least 30 months on their lees, giving them their characteristic depth and complexity.

The vineyards are located across the cooler hills of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo, generally at elevations above 250 metres, with an average altitude of around 440 metres. This elevated landscape, shaped by marly and calcareous soils, provides ideal conditions for slow ripening and vibrant acidity. The resulting wines are typically elegant and structured, combining citrus freshness with subtle notes of bread crust and a delicate savoury minerality.

About the Winery

Marcalberto is a small, family-owned winery based in the village of Santo Stefano Belbo, in the heart of the Langa Astigiana. The estate was founded in the early 1990s by Piero Cane, an experienced winemaker with a deep passion for traditional method sparkling wines.

From the beginning, the family made what was then a rather bold decision: to specialize almost exclusively in Metodo Classico sparkling wines in a region better known for still wines. Today, Piero’s sons Marco and Alberto manage the winery with meticulous attention to detail, while their mother Marina plays an important role in the family enterprise.

The first bottles matured in a historic cellar carved into tuff stone dating back to the early nineteenth century, a place that still embodies the artisanal spirit of the winery. Marcalberto’s vineyards lie within a ten-kilometre radius of the cellar, ensuring that grapes can be processed quickly after harvest, an essential factor in preserving its unique quality.

About the Wine

The Extra Brut Millesimato 2021 is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, harvested during the final days of August at the end of a warm, dry summer. After the initial fermentation, the base wines mature partly in old oak for around seven months, with regular bâtonnage to enhance texture and complexity. The wine is bottled without filtration or clarification and then ages 36 months on its lees, developing depth and aromatic flavours.

In the glass, it reveals a bright straw-yellow colour with delicate amber reflections, accompanied by a fine and persistent perlage. The nose is expressive yet elegant, offering aromas of freshly baked bread, pastry and subtle vanilla, notes derived from the extended lees ageing rather than sweetness.

On the palate, the wine shows considerable structure and a broad, enveloping mouthfeel. Despite the richness suggested by its pastry-like aromas, the Extra Brut dosage (3.5 g/l) keeps the profile precise and dry. The texture is creamy and layered, while the underlying acidity provides lift and clarity. The finish is long and composed with the mineral imprint of the calcareous soils.

Conclusion

The 2021 Marcalberto Metodo Classico Extra Brut shows the remarkable potential of Alta Langa as a source of serious, terroir-driven sparkling wines. Structured yet refined, it balances the depth of extended lees ageing with the freshness typical of high-altitude vineyards.

This Millesimato cuvée captures the strength of the vintage with precision and elegance, confirming Marcalberto’s dedication to modern winemaking with traditional method sparkling wine. We award this wine a 91-point DWA score.

This review is written by our own Nadine Massen. This wine is imported by Verkerk Wijnimport and can be bought online at Enoteca Sprezzatura.

Taste Date:     March 2026

Website:         Marcalberto