Bel Colle is a traditional maker based in Verduno (Barolo). Their wines are clean and precise, they practice sustainable viticulture, followed by manual harvesting, soft pressing of the grapes, balanced macerations: each phase has the objective of bringing the balance and the harmony of the grapes obtained in the vineyard into the glass intact.

This Barbaresco DOCG Pajorè, grows in the Nebbiolo vineyards located in the towns of Treiso. After ageing in oak for two years it is presented to the consumer with the following organoleptic characteristics: Color; garnet red with orange tinges. Fragrance: ethereal, intense, fragrant with fruit and flowers, pleasantly spicy. Taste: dry, full, robust but smooth and velvety. An excellent wine to match with roasted meat, game and matured cheese.

As a first taste of 2015 cru Barbaresco, this is pretty encouraging. There’s three producers making wines from this Treiso MGA – Rizzi, Sottimano, and Bel Colle. It’s pretty dense, and kind of fruity when it first hits the glass, yet all is revealed with a bit of air time. Liquorice, red cherry, new leather and spice. Medium-bodied, fat with tannin, a pure fennel and cherry richness, tight acidity, black tea perfume and a very long and fragrant finish. It’s excellent, and while its kind of approachable, it will be much better with a fair few years in bottle. Plump yet muscular. It’s quite outstanding. Tasted: Apr 18; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $105; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2020 - 2035; Rated: 95+ Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front