Mirafiore Barolo has an intense red berries nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses, black liquorice and underbrush. Imposing and powerful on the palate with harmonious tannins, dry but soft, full-bodied, velvety and well-balanced with great length.
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Brand: Casa E. di Mirafiore
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Description: Dry Red
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Vintages Available: 2017/2018
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Country, Region: Italy, Piedmont
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Appellation: DOCG
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Ratings: JS 93 (2017), Wine Enthusiast 93/100 (2017) WS 93 (2018) 92/100 (2017)
About the Producer
In 1878 Emanuele Alberto Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiore, son of the first King of Italy, founded Casa E. di Mirafiore with his estates in Barolo and Fontanafredda. A noble farmer-entrepreneur, he dedicated himself to wine with an absolutely modern approach and, along with his oenological commitment, spent lots of energy for the community, completing the construction of the village for the community of employees, building farmhouses, cellars, stables and a church, and founding the F.A.O (Fratellanza Agricola Operaia), the first form of recreational club for employees.
In the following years, under his leadership, production immediately took an innovative turn, with constant attention to the production of quality wines, particularly Barolo. Widespread success and acknowledgement followed and by 1890 Barolo Mirafiore was exported all over the world, as proven by the awards received in Brussels, Chicago and San Francisco.
In 1900, after the death of the founder, Emanuele Alberto, Casa E. di Mirafiore reached its maximum commercial expansion. Under the management of Emanuele Alberto’s son, Gastone, things began to deteriorate, as the young man’s passions and talents did not reflect those of his skilled father. This, combined with the great economic depression and phylloxera, led the company into decline and bankruptcy.
In 1931 the Mirafiore brand was sold for just 100,000 lire and then – all but forgotten by the market - ceased to be used for over 70 years.
In 2008 Mirafiore returned home to the heart of the estate and became a real winery, where production of its Cru Barolos was resumed. Mirafiore’s current production – while in step with the times – remains always mindful of the philosophy promoted by the winery’s founder, Count Emanuele Alberto, and firmly connected to the traditions of the past. While many collateral projects are enhancing the name and reputation of Mirafiore, accolades have also been pouring for its wines, including the Platinum Best Medal 2016 for the 2007 Barolo Riserva, with a BEST IN SHOW mention at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
In 2018 Casa E. di Mirafiore became a fully-fledged Organic Estate.
Vineyard
The property extend over 25 ha of estate and is located in the municipalities of Serralunga d’Alba - with the largest portion close to the winery in the Fontanafredda subzone - and Barolo, on land first owned by the original founders in 1878. The property also includes precious parcels of land in two of the best crus of the Barolo DOCG appellation area, Lazzarito and Paiagallo. The vineyards are on medium and upper slopes (300-350 mt. a.s.l.) exposed to the southwest, planted on soil of Miocene-Helvetian origin with a high content of limestone and grey marl alternating with sand.
Vinification
After the manual harvest, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed in the cellar. The fermentation is traditional: medium-long (12-15 days) in stainless steel vats with a floating cap at a controlled temperature of 30-31° C. The wine then remains in contact with the skins for a further 30-40 days to optimize the extraction of the polyphenolic substances and help start the subsequent malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
Mirafiore Barolo ages for two years in oak barrels of medium and large capacity (2,000 to 14,000 litres). At the end of the second year, it undergoes a further period of aging in the bottle before being released to the market.
Tasting Notes
Mirafiore Barolo is garnet-red with ruby highlights that take on a slightly orange tone over time. Clear-cut, intense red berries nose with overtones of vanilla, spices (nutmeg, laurel and black pepper), withered roses, black liquorice and underbrush. To the palate it is elegantly imposing with powerful and harmonious tannins, dry but soft, full-bodied, velvety and well-balanced, and also framed by a crisp acidity that gives it great length.
Analysis
14% alcohol vol.
Food Suggestions
Mirafiore Barolo goes well with important dishes, such as traditional Piedmontese meat main courses. A few more paring suggestions could include: Barolo braised beef; Risotto with truffles; brisket and mushroom pie; chestnut gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce; roasted duck; veal ossobuco; ribeye steak; wild boar agnolotti; charcuterie board.
Serving temperature: 18-20°C.
Cellar
15-20 years in bottles stored horizontally in cool, dark conditions. Mirafiore Barolo will improve with time.
