At a glance

Producer

Ca' del Baio

Region

Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$50-$70

Tasting profile

Vivid red cherry, strawberry, violet, rose petal, hints of anise and menthol, earthy undertones. Fine mineral edge. Tannins still present but integrating.

Evolution: Will gain truffle, dried rose, forest floor, tar, and savory spice notes as it matures; tannins mellow, mid-palate gains silkiness.

At peak: At peak, explosive aromatics, fine red fruit, aged balsamic notes, soft earthy and mineral complexity, long elegant finish.

Structure

Acidity

High—classic for Barbaresco and supports long aging

Tannins

Medium-high, refined; grippy in youth but becoming silkier

Alcohol

14.0-14.5% (typical for the vintage and region)

Aging potential

Strong; can develop gracefully for 15-20+ years in great vintages

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2042

Optimal window

2023 to 2045

Current status

Entering early prime drinking window

Current condition

Youthful yet accessible; beginning to show increased aromatic complexity, tannins integrating but can still benefit from further aging

2017 is a warm, early-ripening vintage in Barbaresco, giving wines of immediate appeal with moderate structure and earlier approachability but also enough backbone to age. Asili cru produces some of Barbaresco's most elegant, aromatic, and long-lived wines—even in warmer years, the site gives poise and keeps freshness. This wine will reward both medium and extended cellaring, especially from a quality-focused producer like Ca’ del Baio.

Food pairing

Excellent with braised veal shank (osso buco), roast lamb, porcini mushroom risotto, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, duck with berry reduction; truffle-based dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To aerate youthful Nebbiolo tannins and unlock aromatics; younger bottles especially benefit from decanting.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Use of integrated pest management, minimized synthetic inputs, manual harvest, native cover crops, and soil health promotion; minimal intervention in cellaring; light bottles for lower packaging impact; solar energy used in winery operations.

Ca' del Baio is recognized in Barbaresco for its environmentally responsible practices—focus on biodiversity, native flora, and terroir expression. Official organic certification is not held (as of 2024), but 'Green Experience' measures are robust. Packaging choices (lighter glass), water/energy savings, and local environmental stewardship are noted strengths. Overall, this wine is sustainably produced by Italian/Piedmont standards, with ongoing commitment but not top-tier global certifications (like Demeter or EU Organic label).