Matteo Correggia Roero Riserva (Nebbiolo), “Roche d’Ampsej”

Roero and Barolo are separated by the Tanaro river which carved a great chasm across the region in an ancient flood. That epic event separated the sandy marine soils of Roero from the iron-rich marl of La Morra in Barolo. Rocche d’Ampsej is right the intersection of these areas, and has a unique soil composition that has Barolo-like clay underneath Roero sand. At the urging of Roberto Voerzio, Matteo realized that this was his grand cru site and he set out to make his flagship wine here. The fruit has much more intensity and structure than other Roero sites and thus required great selection and care in the cellar to make the best wine. It sees new barrique aging to tame the tannins and extended aging prior to release. The result is Roero’s iconic wine—10 times rated 3 Biccheiri since its first vintage in 1996—that rivals the greatest wines of La Morra and will age gracefully for decades.

Varietals: 100% Nebbiolo

Vineyard: Roche d’Ampsej; soils of 25% fine sand, 42% course sand, 29% silt, 5% clay; broad exposure from E-SW; 280-315m elevation

Farming: Organic

Vinification: 50% in stainless steel vats for 10-12 days of maceration and 50% in 6Hl wooden barrels for 45/60 days of maceration

Aging: 9+ months in 6Hl barrels; 2 years in bottle.

A cross-section view of the Roche d’Ampsej vineyard.