DESCRIPTION
In 1957, Giuseppe Ferrando began production of one of the rarest wines obtained from the Nebbiolo variety: Carema, named after a small town in northern Piedmont, on the border with Valle d’Aosta. It was here in 1964, the Ferrando family had built cellars for the production and ageing of this unique “mountain Barolo” (given D.O.C. status in 1967). In the early 80s, Giuseppe’s son Luigi took over the company, taking it to new heights and began exporting their Carema gems to the US market. Luigi’s son Roberto is now fully in charge of all wine growing activities. The power of the brawniest Barolo is undeniable, as is the immediate seductiveness of the finest Barbaresco. However, the Carema of Luigi Ferrando achieves a sophistication and complexity that cannot be matched by either of these other two more well-known appellations. Ferrando’s Carema reveals the most elegant, delicate and complex characteristics of the Nebbiolo grape with a surprising capacity to age
The Ferrandos painstakingly cultivate their Nebbiolo vineyards on the mountainside terroir of Carema, in an amphitheater that sits in the very shadows of Monte Bianco. If there is any wine that defines the Ferrando “oeuvre” it is their Carema “Etichetta Bianca”- the “white label” Carema. The vines producing this wine are trained in a special way on pergola (known as “tupin” in local dialect) to obtain maximum exposure to the sun in this high-altitude district and are planted to soils that are dominated by slate. The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested normally during the second half of October, then undergo a natural fermentation of approximately two weeks in stainless steel before being racked into a mixture of large and small barrels for an extensive aging period of 30 to 36 months in neutral, Slavonian-oak botti before being bottled (without filtration).
Today’s 2018 Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is somewhat unusual in that it’s remarkably accessible at this very early stage. Dried sweet cherry, licorice, white pepper, mint, crushed rock, and dried flowers all deliver a striking aromatic openness, but there is plenty of mineral-drenched tannic backbone giving this wine its distinctive personality. Medium in body, taut and full of character, the wine hits all the right notes. Both ethereal and evocative, this is one of the most profound expressions of the Nebbiolo grape one could ever hope to try. Ferrando’s Caremas have become cult collectibles and we have witnessed these wines age for decades displaying vibrant, seductive qualities that are simply astonishing. If you’ve never experienced Ferrando, it’s time to park some alongside your favorite Barolo and Barbaresco in your cellar. Rest assured; dividends will be paid!
In 1957, Giuseppe Ferrando began production of one of the rarest wines obtained from the Nebbiolo variety: Carema, named after a small town in northern Piedmont, on the border with Valle d’Aosta. It was here in 1964, the Ferrando family had built cellars for the production and ageing of this unique “mountain Barolo” (given D.O.C. status in 1967). In the early 80s, Giuseppe’s son Luigi took over the company, taking it to new heights and began exporting their Carema gems to the US market. Luigi’s son Roberto is now fully in charge of all wine growing activities. The power of the brawniest Barolo is undeniable, as is the immediate seductiveness of the finest Barbaresco. However, the Carema of Luigi Ferrando achieves a sophistication and complexity that cannot be matched by either of these other two more well-known appellations. Ferrando’s Carema reveals the most elegant, delicate and complex characteristics of the Nebbiolo grape with a surprising capacity to age
The Ferrandos painstakingly cultivate their Nebbiolo vineyards on the mountainside terroir of Carema, in an amphitheater that sits in the very shadows of Monte Bianco. If there is any wine that defines the Ferrando “oeuvre” it is their Carema “Etichetta Bianca”- the “white label” Carema. The vines producing this wine are trained in a special way on pergola (known as “tupin” in local dialect) to obtain maximum exposure to the sun in this high-altitude district and are planted to soils that are dominated by slate. The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested normally during the second half of October, then undergo a natural fermentation of approximately two weeks in stainless steel before being racked into a mixture of large and small barrels for an extensive aging period of 30 to 36 months in neutral, Slavonian-oak botti before being bottled (without filtration).
Today’s 2018 Carema “Etichetta Bianca” is somewhat unusual in that it’s remarkably accessible at this very early stage. Dried sweet cherry, licorice, white pepper, mint, crushed rock, and dried flowers all deliver a striking aromatic openness, but there is plenty of mineral-drenched tannic backbone giving this wine its distinctive personality. Medium in body, taut and full of character, the wine hits all the right notes. Both ethereal and evocative, this is one of the most profound expressions of the Nebbiolo grape one could ever hope to try. Ferrando’s Caremas have become cult collectibles and we have witnessed these wines age for decades displaying vibrant, seductive qualities that are simply astonishing. If you’ve never experienced Ferrando, it’s time to park some alongside your favorite Barolo and Barbaresco in your cellar. Rest assured; dividends will be paid!
