LLS Portfolio Book 2015

Giuseppe Cortese

The wines of Giuseppe Cortese are every Piedmont aficionado’s dream. Located in the heart of the famous Rabajà zone, this small, family-owned winery, known for producing exquisitely balanced wines from the Barbaresco zone, is run by those who possess an intimate knowledge of the Nebbiolo grape. With profound respect and knowledge of the Barbaresco terroir, and long-held family traditions, Giuseppe Cortese is able to craft some of Piedmont’s most exceptional wines. A native of Barbaresco, Giuseppe Cortese began a lifelong passion for winemaking by working with his father Giacomo in the family business. After several years of experience, he realized the future of high- quality Barbaresco wines was in developing the potential of the terroir. With this in mind, Giuseppe began re-orienting the family’s wine business and remodeling the winery, improving vinification techniques, and purchasing new land among the famous Rabajà vineyards. Giuseppe’s son Piercarlo joined him in the 1990s, after graduating from the highly regarded Enological School of Alba. Today, Cortese is the typical small, family-run winery, with Giuseppe’s wife Rosella and daughter Tiziana playing active roles in commercial aspects and public relations.

Barbaresco Rabajà DOCG This wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo grapes grown in Barbaresco’s prestigious Rabajà vineyard, located in the Langhe hills just to the south of Cortese’s winery. To achieve the perfect structural balance, the wine is aged for twenty months in a combination of new and seasoned Slavonian and French oak casks, then bottled and cellared for an additional ten months.

Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva DOCG This wine is made only in the finest vintages. The grapes are selected from the oldest vines in the prestigious Rabajà cru. After traditional vinification, the wine is aged for 40 months, and refined for an additional three years in bottle before release. This prolonged aging period ensures the perfect balance of tannins, body, fruit and acidity, resulting in a wine with great personality and refinement.

Barbera d’Alba DOC Made from 100% Barbera d’Alba grown in limestone and clay soils in various estate vineyards in the Trifolera zone, which is named after the prized white truffles that can be found nearby. The grapes are harvested in late September and then vinified and aged entirely in stainless steel tanks.

WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY

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