At a glance

Producer

Domenico Clerico

Region

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$110-$170 USD

Tasting profile

Intense aromas of rose petals, tar, licorice, black cherry, plum, espresso, and new leather; palate is youthful, with grippy tannins, fresh acidity, and layered fruit/mineral concentration.

Evolution: Gaining tertiary notes: dried roses, truffle, forest floor, and balsamic. Fruit notes integrating with earthy complexity, tannins resolving into silkiness.

At peak: At full maturity, offers a kaleidoscope of floral, earthy, and spicy characteristics, supple tannins, and extraordinary length. Powerful yet nuanced.

Structure

Acidity

High

Tannins

High, but refined and beginning to soften

Alcohol

14.5%

Aging potential

20+ years in ideal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2050

Optimal window

2025 to 2053

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, primary fruit and firm tannins; entering secondary development

Barolo from Ginestra Pajana is structured and slow to develop. 2018 vintage shows classic style: power, refinement, energy. Peak drinking will see secondary and tertiary notes at their harmonious best—typically 10-15 years post-vintage.

Food pairing

Ideal with braised beef (Brasato al Barolo), wild boar ragù, truffle risotto, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, and hearty mushroom dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2 hours) — Decanting helps open up the wine’s bouquet, integrates tannins, and softens youthful angularity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Vineyards cultivated with minimal synthetic inputs, emphasis on biodiversity, manual harvest, integrated pest management, grass cover between rows, and minimal intervention winemaking. Some energy efficiency upgrades in winery; standard glass bottles.

Domenico Clerico practices sustainable viticulture in the Barolo region, prioritizing biodiversity and soil health with limited synthetic interventions, but does not have formal organic or biodynamic certification. The winery has invested in some energy conservation upgrades, but conventional packaging and global logistics result in a moderate overall carbon footprint. Room for improvement in renewable energy and packaging innovations.