The Montersino Cru is located at the southern tip of Barbaresco, close to Treiso, at 320 metres above sea level. The Rocca’s 0.42-hectare parcel is within the highest and coolest area of Barbaresco and is one of the region’s most elevated plots. The south-facing vines were planted in 1998 by Angelo Rocca and are rooted on very poor clay and limestone slopes with thin layers of sandstone. The sandstone brings finesse, as does the altitude. Daniela Rocca has pointed out that this soil type (locally called Formazione di Lequio) resembles Barolo’s Monforte and some of the chalky soils found in Serralunga.
Each year, these soils produce a beautiful wine that’s perfect for Burgundy (and Barbaresco!) lovers. Packed with perfume and vibrancy, there’s immediately more savoury complexity on offer. The palate is beautifully poised with velveteen fruit, skilfully interlaced with attractive mineral and floral flavour and the structure is brought by chalky tannins and elevated acidity. The first release from this Cru was back in 2012, and it’s hard to recall if Rocca has bottled a more exciting young wine than that from 2020.