Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi 2019

Piedmont, Italy

Vinous 94 points!

“Dave Fletcher is the winemaker at Ceretto and also makes a few wines under his own label. In recent years, Fletcher has focused more on Barbaresco. Perhaps that explains why the 2019s are especially fine. I very much admire the vibrancy in these wines, which are also a step up from some of the earlier efforts.”—Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi is a wonderful expression of the Nebbiolo grape from the Barbaresco appellation, located one hour from Torino in the famous Langhe region of Piedmont. Barbaresco sits high above the Tanaro River, where wine grapes grow alongside truffles, hazelnuts and chestnuts. “The name Fletcher doesn’t exactly evoke thoughts of classically styled Barbaresco, nor does it bring to mind anything even remotely Italian. However, if tasted without the label in view, there’s not a chance anyone would guess it was the handiwork of a young Aussie. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch if thought to have been crafted by a seventy-something winegrower in the twilight of her or his career, with an interpretation learned from decades of noise and experimentation, evolving into beauty, balance and a timeless, gentle melody.”—The Source

“The Starderi parcel is the cru’s most westerly section and the closest to the cru to the Tanaro River. Alessandro Masnaghetti, a wine writer with the most exhaustive account of Barolo and Barbaresco, states that it is one of the more sunny slopes and is among the most virile and solid of the entire Barbaresco appellation.”—The Source

“A fabulous balance of power and elegance, Fletcher's Starderi Barbaresco is surprisingly friendly from start to finish. After some time open, this young wine slowly builds on its sturdy frame, adding core weight and strength in structure. The overall style is refined and straight with chalky but substantial tannins that gain momentum the longer the bottle is open. The fruit starts red and stays red, but transitions from taut fruit to more supple and sappy richness (within the context of elegantly-styled Barbaresco) as the wine expands with air. All of Fletcher’s Nebbiolo-based wines are aged in 300-liter, old-French-oak barrels with a minimum of ten years of use.”—The Source

Enjoy Fletcher Barbaresco Starderi with osso buco, lasagna, veal chops and aged cheeses.