Tag Archives: accomasso

Accomasso Barolo 2010

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The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Before we talk about the Accomasso Barolo, let’s talk about Lorenzo Accomasso. After his quick rise to fame, Accomasso’s wines have been harder and harder to come by. The story of Lorenzo Accomasso is a peculiar one. And he’s a peculiar man. And his wines can be a bit peculiar too. I’ve only ever had his wines a handful of times, and the experience has been quite varied to be honest.

However, I have been lucky enough to visit him twice. And it’s quite the experience. He doens’t speak a word of english or regular italian. Only dialect. So I always bring along a translator. Not that it really helps. He doesn’t really talk about wine. The last time I was there, he was very excited about the land he has just bought. At age, 80+. He really is very peculiar. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit again this year!

Elio Altare, Piemontegirl and Accomasso

Accomasso Barolo 2010

2010 has a big reputation, and this 2010 Barolo lived up to it. There’s a whole debate going on about whether or not the 2010’s are ready now, and in my limited experience with 2010 I think they could use a few more years.

The aroma’s immediately reminded me of La Morra. I love it when a wine can take you back to some of your fondest memories. A mix of fruits and herbs on the nose, really beautiful aromas. The first sip took me a bit by surprise. It’s a big wine. Tannins are strong, but still smooth, if you know what I mean.

His wines get mixed reviews, but the 2010 Accomasso Barolo was really good! I tasted it blind, and was honestly quite surprised when I saw which wine it was. It’s a very big wine, so it got even better with some food. If you have any 2010, you can keep them another 5-10 years!

The Barolo “Boy”

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Chiara Boschis – a Barolo “boy”

About 30 years ago there was a revolution in the Langhe area, when the so called “modernists” where born. You may be able to debate how it started, but it can be argued that Elio played a big role when he brought his father’s big barrel outside and turned it into kindling. What followed was a sort of “war” between the modernists and traditionalists.

Chiara Boschis

I’m not sure you’ve heard of the “Barolo Boys“, but they are the main characters in this so called war. And amid all the boys – Elio Altare, Accomasso, Beppe Rinaldi & Roberto Voerzio – you have Chiara Boschis. Chiara assumed responsibility of the winery in 1980, and back then it was uncommon for women to be winemakers. But she persevered and the results are outstanding.

Chiara Boschis Wine Cellar

Chiara is a fiery, feisty, fantastic person with boatloads of passion. And her incredible energy is contagious. Chiara is not just a winemaker, she is a hard core farmer on a mission to save the planet. Global warming or global climate change is a common topic in the area these days.

Extreme weather & temperatures creates all sorts of issues for the vines. This year, there has been almost no rain, and rain is crucial in this period when the buds are appearing on the vines. And if there is frost after the buds have appeared, then there is a whole other set of issues. Just look at Burgundy the past week.

But Chiara, along with many other winemakers in the area, fights with all she’s got. Biodiversity & organic are popular words these days, and for Chiara they are words to live by! She always looks for new ways to aid the land where she grows her wine. She continuously thinks of new ways to improve. Chiara never gives up!

As for the wines, Chiara always strives for perfection. 2014 was a difficult year, so 2015 I think would automatically be a good year (compared to the 2014). As with any agricultural product, the wine reflects the vintage was well as the soil. Chiara Boschis made excellent wines both years, but I think I prefer 2015 over 2014 Mosconi. I look forward to the next vintages, as well as the transformation of the wines in the bottle.

Yes, It Was As Legendary As Expected

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Accomasso – The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Accomasso? I honestly don’t believe it. The whole thing was like a dream. A bizarre, wonderful, unexpected dream. Do you know about Accomasso? If you do, then you’ve probably heard rumors about what he’s like. And let me tell you: they are true.

Accomasso winery

Here is how it went down

Let me take you back 2 weeks. I contacted my good friend Emanuela (who works at the Cantina Communale in La Morra) and I asked her if it was possible to get a visit with Accomasso. Her response: let’s try. So Friday after lunch 2 weeks later we drove up to his house with our fingers crossed. This lovely lady was running around in the garden chasing a cat around, a cat that was harassing Romeo (Accomasso’s cat). Anyway, she led us into the house and up to the second floor. Emanuela looks at me and I can tell that this is not the way to the winery. And boy was I right. All of a sudden I found myself in Accomasso’s kitchen.

Accomasso painting

1991 in Acomasso’s kitchen?

Lorenzo Accomasso was relaxing on his couch in the kitchen, having a chat with Renato Corino. He was suprised to see me, just like I was not expecting to see him. “Ciao Bionda” he says, like always, and exchanges a few words with Renzo in Piemontese before he leaves us. The lady who had brought us into the kitchen gestured for us to have a seat at his kitchen table. And guess what was right in front of me? A barolo 1991 from Accomasso. Something was said that I didn’t understand and a few moments later I was drinking this amazing wine from 1991.

 

Accomasso 1991 barolo

This has to be one of the strangest winery visits I have ever had. After about 10 minutes I hear him asking something like “Who is that blonde girl that you brought?”. Finally, I get to introduce myself! I don’t speak Piemontese and he doesn’t really understand my broken Italian so Emanuela translates. This goes on for a while. I just sit there drinking my wine.

Accomasso

Want to know how this picture came about? He saw my camera and asked about it and Emanuela told him I was hoping for a picture (because HELLO, I wanted to document this moment). He then disappeared for a long time and when he came out he had changed his clothes, put on a coat and hat and announced he was ready for the photoshoot!

Best. Visit. Ever.

Thank you Renzo. Thank you lovely lady whose name I never got. And thank you Emanuela. I will NEVER forget this.