We met with Marinella (the marketing person), Jeffrey (originally from NZ) the cellarmaster, and Marco the enologist. One of the women in our group reps this winery in California. Their proprietary cru is Martinenga and they make 200,000 bottles. Their first wines were vinified in 1973. They now make 16 wines. Their soils are calcareous with blue marle. Martinenga is the earliest maturing cru. To avoid hailstorms which have decimated their crops in the past they use air cannons fired into the clouds to disperse potential hail. They are able to activate the cannons remotely via text message. There are 8 cannons total and each covers 800 meters. In 1999 a bad hailstorm damaged 95% of their crop. Because their premiere vineyards are location in single locations this was devastating to their business. They are also experimenting with additional Nebbiolo clones. They said that Marchesi di Barolo and Gaja are also participating in the clonal experiment. They also own vineyards in Barbaresco, Treiso, Neive and Alba. It was a nice visit but the wines were not overly impressive. 2006 Marchesi di Gresy Langhe Sauvignon Blanc - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC (5/9/2007)
Tasted at the winery; Nice Sauv with no grassy aromas or flavors and an acidic finish. This was recently bottled. €10.50 from the winery. (85 pts.) 2004 Marchesi di Gresy Dolcetto d'Alba Monte Aribaldo - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba (5/9/2007)
Tasted at the winery. Clear ruby color; dark fruit and slight meat aromas and flavors with a hollow mid palate and bitterness on the finish. Needs food to shine. These grapes are sourced from Treiso. €9 from the winery. (85 pts.)
2000 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (5/8/2007)
Tasted at the winery; Clear garnet in color with an orange rim; quite a bit of sediment with low acid; Seemed soft and ready to drink; is this already on its decline?? Again the principals mentioned that the 2000 vintage is a drinker, not a long term holder. (88 pts.)
2003 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga Gaiun - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (5/8/2007)
Tasted at the winery; Clear garnet in color; tannins on the finish; not a whole lot going on with this wine at the time but could have used decanting and food. €50 from the winery; overpriced for the quality. (88 pts.)
2004 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (5/8/2007)
Tasted at the winery; Clear medium garnet on the lighter side; Spices such as nutmeg on the nose but again missing its midpalate. €35 Euro from the winery; Overpriced for the quality.
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