Barbaresco Martinenga 2009 – Marchesi di Gresy.
In this review we are discussing on of Italy’s great northern appellations, Barbaresco. Barbaresco Martinenga is a single vineyard wine is being produced by Marchesi Di Gresy and hailed as one of Piemonte’s icons.
About the Region
Piemonte, one of Italy’s treasure vaults filled with great red wines. Nebbiolo is the grape that shaped so much of the history of this land, with the town of Barolo and its DOC leading the fame. But there is a Nebbiolo wine that has a character of its own, being just as beautiful and sought after. Barbaresco.
Having received the DOCG status in 1980 it stretches around the village of Barbaresco and the villages Neive, Treiso, San Rocca and Alba. Barbaresco’s are still red wines, made out of 100% Nebbiolo, with a minimal ageing of 26 months (of which a minimum of 9 months on oak). There is also a Riserva classification with 50/9 months ageing.
About the Winery
Tenuta Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi Di Gresy, aka Marchesi di Grey consists of four estates: Martinenga, Monte Aribaldo, La Serra and Monte Colombo. In total these cover 45 hectares, with a focus on Nebbiolo. The winery has a long history (dating back to the 16th century) and is one of the icons in the DOCG.
Martinenga is also the name of their most prized vineyard and considered the best single vineyard in the area. Its ownership by the winery is traced back to 1797. In total it covers close to 12 hectares. The vineyard has mixed plantings, with a leading role for Nebbiolo.
Because of the diversity and complexity in the terroir the winery has decided to produce 3 expressions of Barbaresco wine here. These are: Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG, Gaiun Martinenga Barbaresco and Camp Gros Martinenga Barbaresco.
About the Wine
This 2009 Martinenga has aged for 12 months in French oak and 12 additional months in Slavonian oak, after which it enjoyed some additional bottle ageing. The wine shows a bright Garnet red colour with brown edges that are starting to show. It opens with a strong and robust nose filled with plums, and cherry but also secondary earthy and herbal notes like balsamic, mint and tea leaves. On the palette a refined and elegant wine, perfect tannin structure and a full and balanced body stretching the fruity as well as the herbal notes. Excellent aftertaste that keeps its freshness and harmony.
A wine that is very suitable for ageing, with a long life through different phases. Works perfectly with red meat or aged (hard) cheeses.
Price: ~ €60
Taste date: August 2022
Score: 93/100 DWA Score
Website: Marchesi Di Gresy