Barbaresco’s Ovello Cru spans a ridge with both slopes planted to vines. Within this large Cru are several delimited parcels (historical plots, if you like). Rocca’s Vigna Loreto is one of the most revered: a tiny plot that is a monopole. Vines here are around 55 years old, and Rocca first vinified the parcel as a separate bottling in 1990. Sitting on the sunnier, south-west side of the ridge, the nearby Tanaro River provides moderating influence. This results in cooler nights than the ridge’s other side. The clay and limestone soils are also sandier and lighter than in the rest of Ovello, giving the wines here far more finesse. Equally significant, vines from Loreto must be cropped at 10 hl/ha less than other Ovello vines if the wine is bottled under the parcel name, so this wine balances its finesse with real depth. So, this is deeper, for sure, yet still with Rocca’s trademark elegance and finesse, and a slick of powdery tannins that bring super freshness. Again, superb.
The 2022 Barbaresco Ovello Vigna Loreto is powerful and ample, yet also quite translucent. Potent tannins make themselves felt but are beautifully integrated into the wine’s fabric. Blood orange, spice, tobacco, dried flowers and mint are nicely laced together. This is such a classy wine