2014 Barolo Percristina, Domenico Clerico

• Style: Full-bodied, powerful tannins, mineral grip
• Taste: Balsamic, licorice, dark preserved fruit, tobacco
• Food: Braised beef, game, aged cheese, mushrooms
• Occasion: Gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: Now through early 2030s, decant before serving

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Balsamic richness, licorice and tobacco build into dark preserved fruits, the signature of Nebbiolo grown on Tortonian marl. The palate is powerful and densely layered, full-bodied with robust tannins that frame rather than overpower. Vibrant acidity stays bright despite the wine's weight, a marker of the cool 2014 vintage managed beautifully through careful canopy work and selective harvesting. Mineral grip and structure come from limestone-clay soils.

The Winery — Domenico Clerico

Domenico Clerico was among a small group of producers who reinvigorated Barolo winemaking in the late 1970s and 80s, moving the region toward estate bottling and precise vineyard work. The Percristina — named for his daughter Cristina — draws from old vines planted in 1968 on south-facing slopes in Mosconi, Monforte d'Alba, at 390–410 metres altitude where concentration deepens the fruit. Extended maceration on skins extracted full richness, followed by five years partly in French oak barriques and partly in large Slavonian casks, then another five in bottle before release.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve this with braised or grilled beef, game birds, hard aged cheeses such as Parmigiano and Fontina, or rich mushroom dishes — the tannins and acidity were made for these foods. This is an essential touchstone for anyone exploring serious Italy's finest expressions. Drink now through the early 2030s as it continues to soften and reveal more aromatic nuance. This wine rewards patience and decanting.