Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico

The Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj from Domenico Clerico appears in the glass with a dense ruby red color and delicate garnet reflections at the rim. The color is clear, deep and inviting, with a slightly transparent core, typical of pure Nebbiolo. Even with the first swirl, an intense aroma rises that clearly reveals this wine’s character.

The bouquet is dominated by ripe blackberry, dense and precise, accompanied by fine notes of dark cherry and a touch of cassis. The typical rose comes across as noble, almost like dried petals, complemented by violets and a hint of dried herbs. The note of licorice is deep, spicy and very elegant, joined by hints of liquorice root, cocoa and a touch of tobacco. Subtle tones of leather, forest floor and a hint of truffle round off the complex aromatic profile and create tension in the glass.

On the palate, this red wine is dry, powerful and yet refined. The tannins are present, tightly knit and polished, ripe and with good grip. A clear, fresh acidity carries the dark fruit and provides structure and length. The alcohol is well integrated and supports the fullness without dominating. The result is a dense, multi-layered impression that lingers for a long time.

The blackberry aromas continue on the palate, now appearing juicy and precise. Dark forest fruits join in, with a hint of plum and some dried cherry. The floral tones of rose and violet gently overlay the fruit and bring a noble, almost balsamic note. The licorice aromas show especially in the long finish: spicy, slightly earthy, with nuances of anise, fine pepper and a touch of bittersweet chocolate. This creates a perfect balance of fruit, spice and elegant maturity.

In the mouth, the wine is at once powerful and clear. The structure is taut but never harsh. With air, the aromatic spectrum opens up further, the tannins appear rounder, the texture becomes almost velvety. The finish is long, with notes of blackberry, sweet spice and a hint of rose that fades slowly. This makes the wine an ideal partner for refined yet robust dishes.

For quick orientation, the most important sensory impressions are summarized in this list:

1. Color: dense ruby red with garnet reflections, clear and luminous.
2. Nose: ripe blackberry, dark cherry, rose, violet, licorice, liquorice root, cocoa, tobacco, forest floor, truffle.
3. Palate: dry, powerful, fresh acidity, tightly knit tannins, dense fruit, fine spice.
4. Structure: taut, clear, with well-integrated alcohol and great aging potential.
5. Finish: very long, with notes of licorice, dark fruit, rose and subtle herbal spice.

This wine comes from Piedmont, from the vineyards of Serralunga d’Alba, one of the most renowned sites of the Barolo DOCG. The Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico is exemplary of powerful, profound Barolo with impressive length. The combination of altitude, poor soils and Nebbiolo yields wines with clear structure and fine fragrance that can mature in the bottle for many years.

The character of this single-varietal Nebbiolo is clearly shaped by its terroir and traditional élevage. The fresh acidity and firm tannins ensure excellent cellaring potential. With further maturation, notes of truffle, tar, leather and dried roses become even more pronounced. This makes the wine suitable both for immediate enjoyment after decanting and for extended storage in the cellar.

Vinification of the Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj by Domenico Clerico

The grapes for the Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico come from carefully selected parcels in Serralunga d’Alba in Piedmont. The vines grow on poor soils of limestone and marl. These soils give the wine its firm structure, clear acidity and long lifespan. The climate is characterized by warm days and cool nights, which allows slow ripening and great aromatic intensity.

The Nebbiolo vines are consistently yield-reduced. This allows the grapes to ripen evenly and develop high concentration. The grower pays close attention to meticulous canopy management so that the grapes hang in an airy environment and can ripen slowly. Harvest is done by hand. Each bunch is checked both in the vineyard and on the sorting table. Only ripe, flawless berries make it into the cellar, preserving the aromatic depth of the fruit.

In the cellar, a gentle fermentation follows. Maceration takes place in the traditional way at controlled temperature in order to preserve the fruit and the delicate floral notes of Nebbiolo. The maceration time is deliberately long so that color, tannin and aromas are extracted gently and completely. Regular punching down or pumping over of the cap ensures even extraction without harsh bitterness.

After fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred to wooden casks. Maturation takes place over many months, usually in a combination of large casks and barriques. The wood is carefully selected to provide structure without masking the fruit. The typical notes of licorice, spices and fine smoke develop during this phase. The wine clarifies naturally through time and rest, without heavy filtration, in order to preserve its density and depth.

Before bottling, the wine rests again in tank or cask so that the individual lots can marry perfectly. The result is a Barolo with clear origin, impressive structure and great aging potential. The Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico leaves the cellar only when tannin, acidity and alcohol are in harmonious balance.

Food recommendations for the Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico

This wine is an ideal partner for the hearty cuisine of Piedmont as well as for sophisticated dishes from around the world. The firm structure and aromas of blackberry, rose and licorice call for dishes with depth, spice and clear umami notes. In this way, the strengths of the Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico come fully into their own.

Suitable dishes include, for example:

- Tajarin with fresh truffle from Alba and a rich butter sauce
- Braised beef cheeks in red wine with root vegetables and mashed potatoes
- Ossobuco with risotto alla Milanese and a long-reduced jus
- Wild boar ragout with polenta, herbs and roasted mushrooms
- Leg of lamb with garlic, rosemary and roasted potatoes
- Aged hard cheese from Piedmont, such as Castelmagno or mature Pecorino
- Mushroom risotto with porcini, thyme and a dash of robust stock

More delicate dishes such as pigeon or duck breast with cherry jus and celery purée also pair very well, as they pick up the dark fruit and spicy notes of the wine. With some bottle age, Barolo di Serralunga DOCG Aeroplanservaj - Domenico Clerico also harmonizes beautifully with mature cheese and slowly braised beef cuts. In this way, the wine demonstrates its class as a noble companion to ambitious cuisine.

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