Fletcher Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2021

David's journey into winemaking began with a deep addiction to Nebbiolo, the noble grape of the region. Originally from Australia, he found himself drawn to the hills of Barbaresco, where he now resides. With an uncontrollable passion for winemaking, David started his journey in 2006, and it has taken him on an extraordinary path of discovery and growth. From the humble beginnings of producing Barolo and Barbaresco, David's portfolio has expanded to include seven wines crafted from twelve different vineyard sites. Even an expression of Australian Nebbiolo finds its place among his creations. The production remains small, limited to approximately 12,000 bottles, mostly allocated to those fortunate enough to experience the wines. What sets Fletcher Wines apart is the freedom to play and deconstruct tradition. David's lack of legacy allows him to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Constantly on the search for great vineyards, he combines learned techniques from his global experiences in winemaking, injecting his own unique twists and turns into the process. In the vineyards, David prioritizes sustainability and biodiversity, with 50% of the vineyards certified organic and the other half under conversion. As a believer in biodynamic practices, he works for one of the biggest biodynamic producers in Barolo and Barbaresco. David strives for better vineyard health, lower environmental impact, and aims to counterbalance the monoculture prevalent in the Langhe region. To offset the land used for grape production, he takes ownership of equivalent areas in forests, swamps and grasslands rich in biodiversity. The winemaking process at Fletcher Wines is a delicate dance of tradition and innovation. The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo an open fermentation, without any post-ferment soak. To add complexity and depth, the wine is aged in old oak barrels, over 10 years old, with a capacity of 300 litters. This aging process takes place for 24 months, far exceeding the legal minimum of 12 months, ensuring that the wine reaches its full potential. After this barrel aging, the wine spends an additional 3 months in the bottle before being released.  In 2019, Fletcher Wines sourced their grapes from three distinct Cru vineyards, each contributing its own character to the final blend. The wine is composed of 50% grapes from the Roncaglie Cru, 30% from Starderi and 20% from Ronchi. The three Cru vineyards contribute distinctive characteristics to the final wine. Roncaglie, picked significantly later than Starderi, offers dark fruits and a more masculine tannin structure. Its south-west facing position and ferrous soils create a longer hang time for the grapes. Starderi, with its south-facing orientation and calcareous soils, adds elegance, spice, and a red berry profile to the blend. Ronchi, a new addition in 2019, brings a touch of freshness to the wine with its cooler east-facing vineyard location.

Langhe is a wine region in northern Italy that is renowned for producing some of the best wines in the world. Located in the Piedmont region, Langhe is home to some of the world's most famous wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Nebbiolo. The region's unique terroir, which includes hillsides, valleys, and a mild climate, creates ideal growing conditions for the region's many grape varietals. The wines produced in Langhe are known for their complexity, depth, and ability to age gracefully. Nebbiolo is a red grape varietal that is grown in the Langhe wine region of northern Italy. It is the primary grape used to produce two of the region's most famous wines, Barolo and Barbaresco. Nebbiolo grapes are known for their thick skins, high tannins, and acidity, which give the wines produced from them a complex and long-lasting flavour. Nebbiolo wines from the Langhe region are typically full-bodied with aromas of roses, violets, and red fruits.

Fletcher Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2021 is an exceptional wine that showcases Dave Fletcher's winemaking expertise. This vintage is up there with his previous release as the best wine he has made. The wine's price point is impressive, but it's the magnificent expression of Nebbiolo that makes it stand out. The wine is densely complex in fruit and florals, with a backbone of fruit tannin and mouth-watering acidity that drives the fruit through the palate. From the first sip to the last, the flavour is with you all the way. The change in appellation from Nebbiolo d'Alba to Langhe Nebbiolo was necessary because David added grapes from his younger Nebbiolo vines planted in 2016, located opposite the winery in Barbaresco. The wine comes from three communes – Barbaresco, Scaparoni (close to Alba) and Monta in Roero. David likes to use 100% Nebbiolo, making it another way to teach someone about Nebbiolo. The grapes are 100% destemmed and undergo open ferment with very little plunging every 2 to 3 days. There is no post-ferment soak, and the wine is aged in old wood, 300-liter hogshead, for 12 months. While it can be aged in wood or steel, David prefers to use wood as it helps with the natural oxidation/softening of tannins.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Langhe, Piedmont
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%