We visted the Sottimano winery in Neive, a region within the Piedmont region of Italy on 6/9/04. Andrea Sottimano received us and tasted through the Sottimano wines. This winery produces a Dolcetto, a Barbera and four single vineyard Barbarescos (nebbiolo). This is one of the few, if not only, vineyard that both Futronic and the Winetexs visited on our trips to Italy. There are links to Futronic’s TNs below. Sottimano produces 50,000 bottles a year (4100 cases). Mr. Sottimano indicated that their vineyards near Neive are from heavily mineral soil thus the nice mineral notes in their wines. These wines are an interesting combination of brute power and finessse.

2002 Sottimano Dolcetto Bric del Salto
€6.50; Dark purple; Good aromatics with cherries and more cherries; concentrated and quite pleasant; IWC 88 points; Gambero Rosso 2 Glasses; Winetex 85-86 points

2002 Sottimano Barbera d'Alba Pairolero
€15; Dark purple; Black cherry and coffee notes; 18 mos in barrel; 40% new wood; Powerful barbera; Winetex 87 points

2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Fausoni
€30; Dark ruby; Some balsamic, minerals. Very good. Winemaker likes this vintage and indicated that their wines from 2001 will go the distance. Winetex 90 points

2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Curra'
€30; Garnet; Minerals first then the fruit follows; also good but I didn’t write any notes; IWC 90-92 points

2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Cotta'
€30; Darker garnet; Less of a nose initially then it kicked in after the wine opened up; More elegant than the previous barbarescos; Winetex 91 points

2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore'
€30; Eureka, it all comes together; We bought a case of these; Winetex 93 points

Andrea's wines are quite good - and I agree that the Pajore is outstanding. I think the method he follows, leading you from one vineyard to the next is an excellent way to understand the nuances between them.

Glad you had a great time!

• 2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (5/23/2007)
  Dark clear purple in color (almost Barbera-like) with a slightly red rim; No signs of age other than it was less primary than when originally tasted at the winery. The initial aromas were very oaky. After it opened up it had spice, minerals and a bit of toast on the nose. This wine had very chewy tannins with good balance. It was heavier in weight than a lot of Barbarescos. The finish was long and distinctly classic Nebbiolo with cherries, spice, florals and minerals. It was initially very closed with slight aromas. After about 45 min-1 hour in the decanter it started to open up. The last glass was the best one. Bravo, Sottimano. [~$40 on release; Next bottle up in 2008, maybe on a yearly schedule] (92 pts.)

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