Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi 2020

David's journey into winemaking began with a deep addiction to Nebbiolo, the noble grape of the region. Originally from Australia, he found himself drawn to the hills of Barbaresco, where he now resides. With an uncontrollable passion for winemaking, David started his journey in 2006, and it has taken him on an extraordinary path of discovery and growth. From the humble beginnings of producing Barolo and Barbaresco, David's portfolio has expanded to include seven wines crafted from twelve different vineyard sites. Even an expression of Australian Nebbiolo finds its place among his creations. The production remains small, limited to approximately 12,000 bottles, mostly allocated to those fortunate enough to experience the wines. What sets Fletcher Wines apart is the freedom to play and deconstruct tradition. David's lack of legacy allows him to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Constantly on the search for great vineyards, he combines learned techniques from his global experiences in winemaking, injecting his own unique twists and turns into the process. In the vineyards, David prioritizes sustainability and biodiversity, with 50% of the vineyards certified organic and the other half under conversion. As a believer in biodynamic practices, he works for one of the biggest biodynamic producers in Barolo and Barbaresco. David strives for better vineyard health, lower environmental impact, and aims to counterbalance the monoculture prevalent in the Langhe region. To offset the land used for grape production, he takes ownership of equivalent areas in forests, swamps and grasslands rich in biodiversity. The winemaking process at Fletcher Wines is a delicate dance of tradition and innovation. The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo an open fermentation, without any post-ferment soak. To add complexity and depth, the wine is aged in old oak barrels, over 10 years old, with a capacity of 300 litters. This aging process takes place for 24 months, far exceeding the legal minimum of 12 months, ensuring that the wine reaches its full potential. After this barrel aging, the wine spends an additional 3 months in the bottle before being released.  In 2019, Fletcher Wines sourced their grapes from three distinct Cru vineyards, each contributing its own character to the final blend. The wine is composed of 50% grapes from the Roncaglie Cru, 30% from Starderi and 20% from Ronchi. The three Cru vineyards contribute distinctive characteristics to the final wine. Roncaglie, picked significantly later than Starderi, offers dark fruits and a more masculine tannin structure. Its south-west facing position and ferrous soils create a longer hang time for the grapes. Starderi, with its south-facing orientation and calcareous soils, adds elegance, spice, and a red berry profile to the blend. Ronchi, a new addition in 2019, brings a touch of freshness to the wine with its cooler east-facing vineyard location.

Starderi is a famous vineyard located in the Piedmont region of Italy, specifically in the Barbaresco DOCG appellation. The vineyard is known for producing high-quality Nebbiolo grapes that are used to create some of the finest Barbaresco wines in the world. The Starderi vineyard is located on a south-facing slope, which provides optimal sun exposure for the grapes, allowing them to ripen fully and develop their unique flavour profile. The soil in the vineyard is a combination of limestone and clay, which provides the perfect growing conditions for the Nebbiolo grape. The wines produced from the Starderi vineyard are known for their complexity and depth of flavour. They are full-bodied and rich, with notes of dark fruit, leather and spice. The tannins are firm yet well-integrated, providing a structure that allows the wine to age gracefully over time.

The Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi 2020 is a classic Barbaresco wine that reflects the unique character of the Starderi vineyard. On the nose, one can detect the aromas of dark fruit, leather and spice, which are complemented by subtle notes of tobacco and earthy minerals. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied yet elegant, with a firm yet well-integrated tannic structure that provides a backbone for the fruit to shine through. The flavors of dark fruit and spice are prominent, with hints of leather and tobacco adding complexity and depth. The finish is long and lingering, with a touch of minerality that adds an extra layer of interest. The Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi 2020 is a wine of exceptional quality that showcases the best of the Barbaresco appellation. It is a wine that will age gracefully over time, allowing the complex flavors and aromas to fully develop and mature.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Barbaresco
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%