Paolo Manzone, Barolo ‘Meriame’ 2016

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. Subsequently, the wine matures for 24 months in wood, of which at least 50% in large casks of Slavonic wood (1,500 litres) and the rest in French tonneaux (350 litres) of which 30% is new.
Sourced from vineyards in the cru Meriame in the comune (municipality) Serralunga d’Alba in Barolo. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 350 metres and face south/south-east. The soil consists mainly of clay and limestone. The oldest vines are about 70 years old.

Because of the relatively small production Paolo is able to have 100% control over every step in the process: from the grape to the sale of his wines. In total Paolo makes 100,000 bottles, 90% of which are eventually exported.
Besides Barolo Manzone also produces Arneis, Dolcetto, Barbera d’Alba, Nebbiolo d’Alba and a Langhe DOC, a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto.
In rustic Serralunga d’Alba, in the heart of the Barolo DOCG, lies the cru Meriame, where Paolo Manzone has planted his Nebbiolo for his main wines. The vineyard dates back to 1948 and the vines are sometimes up to 70 years old. Manzone has taken inspiration from Burgundy and makes Barolos aged in French Burgundy barrels.
They are Barolos in a fairly modern style, matching the accessible and somewhat earthy style Barolos that the Meriame Cru delivers.

In 1999, Paolo and Luisella Manzone established the agriturismo Cascina Meriame, named after the Meriame Cru on which the agriturismo and its vineyards lie. At the time, the agriturismo was owned by Luisella’s parents and clearly in need of refurbishment. They renovate it completely and build a new winery. The vineyard area comprises over 10 hectares of vineyards. Some of the vineyards are in the important cru Meriame where the Barolo comes from. Other vineyards are in Sinio, just east of Serralunga.