In 1971 when few people believed in the potential quality of Barbaresco, Giueseppe Cortese did. Unlike Mr Gaja, the aristocrat up the road, Giuseppe was a farmer who wanted to become a wine artisan and humbly dedicated his life, à la King-Charles, to “listening to the grapevine”. These vines receive more care than most children and produce fine expressions of Nebbiolo with poise and elegance. No ego, just pure, honest, amazing value wines.
Giuseppe’s children Pier Carlo, Tiziana and son-in-law Gabriele now continue his sterling work, and continue to blend modern vinification with a traditional philosophy. The result is brilliant varietal purity and wines with a distinct sense of place. They farm just six hectares of vines, including four of ‘Rabajà’, the celebrated amphitheatre vineyard heralded as one of the top cru in Barbaresco. The Langhe Nebbiolo comes from young vines within Rabajà, and it is one of the most serious and respected of the whole denomination.
