Region and Vineyards
Neive is one of the three communes of Barbaresco, its hills rolling between 230-350 metres with alternating marls and sands that fine-tune Nebbiolo's perfume and tannin. Among its historic sites, Cottà MGA is renowned for producing wines of intensity and verve. The slope's south-west exposure gathers afternoon light while retaining evening cool, encouraging slow ripening and a spectrum of red-toned fruit, rose and spice.
Sottimano farms old vines in Cottà—many 40-70 years—rooted in limestone-clay that contributes tension and length. The site's microclimate, with gentle breezes and marked diurnal shifts, preserves acidity and aromatic lift. Year after year, Cottà's character reads as vigorous yet poised: solid, well-grained tannins wrapped around a fragrant core, with a saline snap that carries the finish.
Winemaking
Cottà is 100% Nebbiolo from low-yielding, old vines. Fermentations proceed with indigenous yeasts, and the skins remain submerged for an extended maceration—about 40 days—to extract finely knit tannins without hardness. Malolactic occurs naturally in barrel. This patient, non-interventionist approach is designed to capture the vineyard's florals and savory complexity with clarity.
Élevage takes place in French barriques coopered for the estate (François Frères), for roughly 24 months, with only 10-15% new oak; the remainder are seasoned barrels to avoid masking terroir. The wine is bottled without filtration. In 2020 the result is a luminous, textural Barbaresco that balances ripeness with freshness, showing the estate's hallmark elegance and age-worthy structure. Alcohol typically sits around 14.5%.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Translucent garnet with a pale, brick-tinged rim.
- Aroma: Dried rose, raspberry and red cherry, with licorice, sweet tobacco, subtle smoke and wild herbs; hints of almond, blood orange and crushed stone.
- Palate: Silky entry that builds to fine, chalk-edged tannins; mid-weight and precise, layering red fruits, balsamic spice and savory earth. Long, saline finish with rose and licorice echo.
Did you know?
The Cottà hillside is among Neive's earliest sites to be bottled separately as a single-vineyard Barbaresco. Sottimano's parcel sits just above the family cellar; its old vines—some planted in the 1960s—are a cornerstone of the estate's reputation.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Tajarin al ragù di vitello: the wine's acidity and fine tannins cut the richness of veal ragù while echoing its savory depth.
- Porcini risotto: Nebbiolo's rose and earth interplay beautifully with mushrooms' umami and the dish's creamy texture.
- Roast duck with orange and spices: bright fruit and gentle spice notes complement duck's sweetness and aromatic glaze.
- Aged Parmigiano Reggiano: umami and salt amplify Nebbiolo's cherry-licorice core and lengthen the finish.
