Winemaker Notes
Power, richness, and masculinity from the Pajana site is typical of Clerico. An ageworthy Barolo for sure, tannins are present, yet structured without overpowering the fruit.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Domenico Clerico 2016 Barolo Pajana draws its fruit from a parcel within the Ginestra cru that was planted in two phases, first in 1971 and again in 1991. It lies 350 meters above sea level and sees looser sandy soils compared to the higher-altitude parts of the vineyard (that delineates Ciabot Mentin). These conditions lead to extra richness and a velvety texture. Pajana is guided by a deep sense of elegance and finesse. The aromas show a smooth succession of cassis, black currant, blood orange, spice, camphor ash and smoke. The wine's length is what stands out, as you taste those Nebbiolo characteristics for many long minutes.
-
Wine Spectator
The aromas are shy but the flavors are expressive, featuring black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice and tobacco notes. Showing burly tannins, this powerful red will take a little longer to come around. Best from 2024 through 2050.
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
The center of the production of the world’s most exclusive and age-worthy red wines made from Nebbiolo, the Barolo wine region includes five core townships: La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and the Barolo village itself, as well as a few outlying villages. The landscape of Barolo, characterized by prominent and castle-topped hills, is full of history and romance centered on the Nebbiolo grape. Its wines, with the signature “tar and roses” aromas, have a deceptively light garnet color but full presence on the palate and plenty of tannins and acidity. In a well-made Barolo wine, one can expect to find complexity and good evolution with notes of, for example, strawberry, cherry, plum, leather, truffle, anise, fresh and dried herbs, tobacco and violets.
There are two predominant soil types here, which distinguish Barolo from the lesser surrounding areas. Compact and fertile Tortonian sandy marls define the vineyards farthest west and at higher elevations. Typically the Barolo wines coming from this side, from La Morra and Barolo, can be approachable relatively early on in their evolution and represent the “feminine” side of Barolo, often closer in style to Barbaresco with elegant perfume and fresh fruit.
On the eastern side of the Barolo wine region, Helvetian soils of compressed sandstone and chalks are less fertile, producing wines with intense body, power and structured tannins. This more “masculine” style comes from Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba. The township of Castiglione Falletto covers a spine with both soil types.
The best Barolo wines need 10-15 years before they are ready to drink, and can further age for several decades.