1913
marked the inaugural vintage for Luigi Minuto thus forming Cascina
Luisin. This set up the Minuto family to become one of the oldest
wine making families in Barbaresco. Not only are they one of
the oldest, but they were the first to bottle and sell wine on a
commercial level in the early 1930s. It is important to
remember that unlike other regions in Italy, Piedmont has a very
short history with quality wine making. Post WWII gave rise to
the quality we have come to expect from the Barbaresco and Barolo.
The names Minuto and Gaja are the first brought up when discussing
the historical producers who paved the way.
Today
Luigi’s great grandson, Luigi, who is now in his seventies continues
on the family winemaking tradition with his son Roberto. The
winery was named by Roberto’s great grandfather for his grandfather
Luigi. Roberto is 7th generation to make wine, the 4th to live
under the same roof to which the winery is attached by a small patio
that looks out over the Rabajà vineyard. The family philosophy
is meticulous vineyard care and they hold great respect for upholding
traditional winemaking practices in the winery.
The
wines of Cascina Luisin are well known for their accessibility in
their youth with great core fruit that holds up well and evolves with
age.
Barbera
d’Alba Maggiur 2012 $16.95 [302904]
Maggiur
lies within the greater Asili vineyard. It is indisputably one
of the greatest. Maggiur receives more hours of sunshine than
any other location in the vineyard leading to greater ripeness and
maturity in the finished wine. It is nothing short of a miracle
that these vines, planted by Robert’s grandfather almost 60 years
ago, have not been grubbed up and replanted to Nebbiolo.
The
wine is fermented in stainless steel then aged in a mixture of
barrique and tonneaux for a total of 12 months. The wine is
full of exuberant red fruit. Fresh raspberries and chocolate
covered bing cherries harmoniously mingle with a slight vanilla spice
of oak and the flowery freshness we expect from Barbera.
Langhe
Nebbiolo Maggiur 2012 $19.95 [302805]
These
80-year-old vines are planted next to the Barbera in Asili.
Being less than 50 meters from the boundary line of Barbaresco you
get an incredible “bang for your buck” with this wine.
Fermentation
in cement tanks softens the wine and allows for a more gentle
extraction of tannins while lending a unique texture. The wine
is then aged in tonneaux for 12 months. The wine is a shining
example of Nebbiolo. Bright and fresh with notes of sweet tar
and rose petals opening to reveal cassis and spice.
Barbaresco
Rabajà 2010 $54.95 [302906]
The
Rabajà vineyard is with out a doubt the most historically
significant vineyard with the most prestige in all of Barbaresco.
The vineyard faces west towards the Rio Tanaro. This is
literally the Minuto’s backyard.
Cascina
Luisin harvests just one hectare of the clay rich Rabajà. Yielding
just around 350 cases per vintage. The wine spends 20 days in
cement during primary fermentation then is transferred to large
format barrels ranging in size between 20-50 hl. This wine is
known for its great elegance and austerity of classic Nebbiolo
displaying delicate fruit and age worthy tannins.
Barbaresco
Sori Paolin 2010 $54.95 [302504]
Sori
Paolin is the best plot within the Basarin Vineyard. A steep,
sandy south facing vineyard. In comparison to Rabajà, Sori
Paolin has much richer and deeper core fruit with a slightly heavier
tannic structure.
Sori
Paolin is made exactly the same as Rabajà. Primary
fermentation takes place over the course of about 20 days, then the
wine is laid to rest in oak for two years.
Cheers!
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