DECUGNANO DEI BARBI
UMBRIA / ORVIETO
Nestled outside the medieval town of Orvieto, the Decugnano estate has long been associated with winemaking. Records dating from 1212 confirm the presence of monks who dedicated themselves to the cultivation of local vines. The land remained under the ownership of the Church until the unification of Italy in 1861, when the estate was sold to private investors. In 1973 it passed into the hands of the Barbi family, wine merchants since the 1920s, whose work has elevated the quality of the estate’s wines to new levels and gained international recognition for the protected designation of origin of Orvieto Classico DOC.
Decugnano dei Barbi comprises 63 hectares in total, of which 33 hectares are under vine and 13 different grape varieties are cultivated. In contrast to the rest of the Orvieto Classico DOC area the soil is of marine origin, dating from the Pliocene epoch. The oyster fossils and seashells that can be found scattered throughout the vineyard are testament to the presence of an ancient sea. Light in colour and rich in calcium, the soil provides the perfect growing environment for the vines. The clay component ensures adequate water-holding capacity for the dry season and calcium provides vital micro-nutrients for berry cell wall development. This soil structure is complemented by a unique microclimate, with constant ventilation and marked diurnal temperature variation, essential for the retention of acidity and aromas. As a result, our wines exhibit a characteristic minerality and freshness.
Owner
Region
Sub-region
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Enzo Barbi
Umbria
Orvieto
Organic
Manual
63 hectares; 33 hectares under vine.
Vermentino, Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon Blanc, Pricanino, Grenache, Sangiovese, Cab-Sav, Merlot, Syrah, Montepulciano.
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Decugnano dei Barbi 'Casapica'
Casapica by Decugnano dei Barbi comes from grapes grown at 320 meters above sea level, on soils of marine origin, rich in fossils, which then give the wine a very pleasant sapid taste with an inviting freshness.
Appellation: Umbria Bianco IGT
Grapes: Vermentino, Chardonnay.
Vinification: Stainless Steel
Alcohol: 13%
Notes: Yellow straw color. On the nose, it expresses itself with notes of peach and grapefruit and pleasant mineral notes. On the palate, it is fresh, elegant, and well-balanced.
Decugnano dei Barbi 'FRAMMENTO'
Frammento expresses the best flavors of Orvieto tradition. The fruit is sourced from our estate vineyards grown in soils rich with fossilized shells and oysters. Careful fruit selection and concise blending create a fresh wine with bright and balanced flavors.
Appellation: Orvieto Classico DOC
Grape varieties: 50% Grechetto, 20% Vermentino, 20% Sauvignon Blanc,10% Procanico.
Terroir: South-west and south-east facing vineyards located at 320 meters above sea level, planted in 1986, 1997 and most recently in 2000. The sandstone soil, rich in calcium, produces an elegant, delicately coloured white with a unique sense of place.
Winemaking: Grapes were picked at night between the end of August and the beginning of September and immediately underwent gentle pressing to avoid phenolic extraction. The yield per hectare was 7000kg, the ratio of grape yield to must was 65%. Fermentation was carried out in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for 10-12 days, at 14°C.
Alcohol: 13%
Notes: The wine is light in colour, with more pronounced aromas of golden apple and chamomile. On the palate, crisp acidity is balanced by mature fruit and a savoury texture with a refreshing, zesty finish.
92
2018
RV
92
2019
WE
Decugnano dei Barbi 'Mare Antico'
The Mare Antico is a blend of the best fruit from our estate vineyards. The grapes are sourced from 25-year-old vines grown in soils particularly rich with fossilized shells and oysters. The grapes are fermented separately and carefully blended. Mare Antico is a wine of great elegance, well balanced and very mineral: the best expression of Decugnano’s terroir.
Appellation: Orvieto Classico Superiore Doc
Grapes varieties: 55% Grechetto, 20% Vermentino, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Procanico
Terroir: South-west and south-east facing vineyards planted in 1986, 1997 and most recently in 2000. The soils are rich in calcium and the marl component provides essential minerals for vine nutrition.
Winemaking: Only the best fruit is used for the unique blend that is Mare Antico. Grapes were carefully selected and harvested by hand, with a yield of 7000kg per hectare. On arrival at the winery they were de-stemmed, cooled and pressed. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks for 15-20 days at 14°-16°C. 5% was fermented in new French oak, without malolactic fermentation.
Aging: The wine spent 12 months in bottle before market release.
Alcohol: 13,5%
Notes: A vibrant light colour, Mare Antico 2018 clearly expresses notes of golden apple and mature zesty citrus. The palate is characterised by bright acidity with a touch of salinity, that typifies the soil and it closes with a long, lingering finish.
93
2018
RV
93
2019
WE
Decugnano dei Barbi 'L’Inquisitore'
L’inquisitore comes from an old Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, which gave life to a Special Edition of 1300 bottles in 2016. The surprising and exciting result convinced us to want to invest in this wine.
Appellation: Umbria Bianco IGT
Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Terroir: South-east facing vineyard, planted in 1998. The soil is rich in calcium and the marl component provides essential minerals for vine nutrition.
Winemaking: Grapes are sourced from L’Inquisitore vineyard, harvested by hand with a yield of 4,500 kg per hectare. On arrival at the winery, they were de-stemmed, cooled and pressed. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks for 15-20 days at 14°-16°C.
Aging: The wine spent 6 months in bottle before market release.
Alcohol: 12,5%
Notes: The new Sauvignon Blanc from Decugnano dei Barbi is unique and mineral-driven, like its other wines, it is crisp and clean. This is due to the unique fossil terroir of the vineyards, which were once a saltwater sea. Overall, it shows complex aromas with mineral notes and pleasant floral and exotic fruit scents, it is full-bodied and well-balanced on the palate with a persistent finish sustained by good freshness.
Decugnano dei Barbi 'Tramonte d’Estate' Rosé
Appellation: Umbria Rosé IGT
Grapes Variety: 100% Grenache
Terroir: A south-west facing vineyard, planted in 2011 with a soil composed of clay and sand. This vineyard is about 3 kms away from the Decugnano hill.
Winemaking: Grenache grapes were hand-picked in early September and immediately transferred to the winery where whole bunches were gently pressed. The yield was 8,000 kg per hectare and the ratio of grape yield to must was 50%. The free run juice was used to make Tramonto d’Estate 2020. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks at for 10-12 days at 14°C.
Alcohol: 12,5%
Production: 4,500 bottles
Notes: An attractive pale rose colour, Tramonto d’estate 2020 is packed with red fruits. Intense notes of wild strawberry strike the palate, giving way to a long savoury finish and a touch of red rose. Soft tannins are offset by refreshing acidity.
Decugnano dei Barbi 'BATTITO'
Battito is a soft and pleasant wine sourced from estate vineyards grown in soils rich with fossilized shells and oysters. It is well balanced with intense flavors of cherry, plum, and leather backed by hints of clove and spice.
Appellation: Umbria Rosso IGT
Grapes varieties: 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot.
Terroir: South-west and south-east facing vineyards located at 320 metres above sea level, planted in 1986, 1997 and 2000. The soil is predominantly sandstone with a clay component, which provides power and depth.
Winemaking: Grapes were picked in September, according to variety. The yield per hectare was 7,000kg. On arrival at the winery, they were immediately destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Maceration lasted 8 days.
Aging: The wine refined for six months in French oak barrels.
Production: 22,000 bottles
Alcohol: 14%
Notes: An appealing ruby red colour with bright notes of red fruit and violet that emerge from the glass. The concentrated fruit is balanced by alcohol, fine tannins and fresh acidity to produce a notably refined and elegant wine.
91
2016
FALSTAFF
91
2016
RV
Decugnano dei Barbi 'AD 1212'
Named on the date of the oldest winery record, the A.D.1212 is a blend of the best fruit sourced from 20-year-old estate vineyards. Meticulous vinification, precise blending and 12 months in French oak barrels come together to create this harmonious and elegant wine.
Appellation: Umbria Rosso IGT
Grape Varieties: 65% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Montepulciano.
Terroir: South-west and south-east facing vineyards planted in 1975, 1986 and 1997. The soil is comprised of sand, clay and loam and peppered with fossils dating from the Pliocene epoch, which enriches it with essential micro- nutrients.
Vinification: AD 1212 is a special edition, dedicated to the first written records of winemaking at Decugnano. Grapes were carefully selected and harvested by hand between August 25th and September 30th according to variety, with a yield of 6,000kg per hectare. On arrival at the winery grapes were de-stemmed and placed in stainless steel tanks for 12-15 days at 24°C. Maceration lasted 7-8 days.
Aging: 1/3 of the wine was aged in new French oak barrels for 12 months, 2/3 was kept in stainless steel. After careful blending, the wine was kept in bottle for further 6 months before market release.
Alcohol: 14%
Production: 24,000 bottles
Notes: Ruby red in colour, it reveals an array of red fruits and spices on the nose, with a marked note of black pepper from Syrah. The palate is rich in intense black fruit, tannins are soft yet structured, supported by a good level of acidity and well-integrated alcohol. Intense and savoury, a wine of powerful elegance.
93
2017
FALSTAFF
93
2018
FALSTAFF
