What kind of wine is Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico

Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico is born in the heart of the Langhe, one of Piedmont's most renowned areas for producing great red wine. It is a 100% Nebbiolo Barolo, an indigenous grape variety that finds its most authentic expression here thanks to the clay and limestone soils and the favorable microclimate. The "Pajana" vineyard, located in the Ginestra cru, enjoys an ideal south-west exposure, ensuring slow and complete ripening, perfect for a wine with a significant structure and great elegance. Production, limited to approximately 5000 bottles, demonstrates the producer's commitment to offering only the best of their grapes.

Vintage Details

The 2021 vintage stands out for its balanced climate, with a mild spring and a warm but airy summer. The grapes reached optimal ripeness, offering wines with great aromatic concentration, silky tannins, and remarkable aging potential. The result is a harmonious Barolo, capable of combining power and finesse.

Vinification and Aging

After a maceration (the period during which the skins remain in contact with the must to extract color and tannins) of approximately 20-25 days, the wine ferments in steel at a controlled temperature. This is followed by a long aging of 16 months in French barriques, small 225-liter barrels, and another 16 months in large 50 hl barrels. Finally, the wine rests for two years in the bottle, where it completes its evolution and refines its taste-olfactory balance.

Tasting Notes

Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico is a wine that tells the story of time and territory through its aromas and structure. It is designed for those who love the complexity but also the harmony of a great Piedmontese red.

Color

In the glass, it appears as an intense garnet red with orange reflections, typical of mature Nebbiolo, clear and brilliant.

Nose

The bouquet is deep and expansive: aromas of ripe red fruits, plum, and cherry in spirits emerge, followed by spicy notes of vanilla, black pepper, and licorice, with hints of withered violet and sweet tobacco. It is an enveloping nose, continuously evolving in the glass.

Taste

On the palate, it reveals a solid and balanced structure, with dense yet elegant tannins and a long aromatic persistence that echoes the aromas perceived on the nose. The freshness and sustained acidity guarantee balance and a long life in the bottle.

Food Pairings for Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico

This Barolo lends itself magnificently to pairings with bold and structured dishes. Perfect for accompanying Piedmontese cuisine, it finds ideal expression with red meats, game, and aged cheeses. Recommended pairings include:

• Brasato al Barolo (braised beef in Barolo) or beef stew
• Risotto with porcini mushrooms or truffles
• Stuffed capon or roast duck
• Aged cheeses such as Castelmagno or Parmigiano Reggiano

Storage and Aging: How to store Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico wine

To best preserve the characteristics of this wine, it is important to store it in an environment with a constant temperature between 12 and 16 °C, away from direct light and vibrations, with the bottle laid horizontally to keep the cork moist. Barolo DOCG 'Pajana' 2021 - Domenico Clerico has great aging potential: it can evolve wonderfully for over 15 years, developing increasingly intriguing complexity and roundness. Ideal both for those who wish to enjoy it today and for those who want to enrich their cellar with a meditation wine and a great occasion wine.