Barbaresco Prunotto 1979
The 1979 Barbaresco Prunotto is a red wine made entirely from the Nebbiolo grape. It is produced by Prunotto, a historic estate founded in 1904 in Serralunga under the name 'Ai Vini delle Langhe'. The winery took its current name in 1923 when Alfredo Prunotto assumed control. This specific vintage was bottled in the production zone at Cantina S. Cassiano by the winery Alfredo Prunotto of Colla and Filiberti, reflecting the era when Beppe Colla led the estate. Colla, who took over in 1956, was a pioneer in bottling wines from specific parcels, sparking the cru-thinking that became central to the region's winemaking.
The wine originates from Barbaresco, a classic Denominazione di Origine Controllata area located in the Langhe hills east of Alba. This area is situated within Piedmont, a prestigious wine region in northwestern Italy bordered by the Alps. Piedmont, which literally translates to 'at the foot of the mountain', is renowned for its steep hills often enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, which protects the grapes and ensures a long ripening period. The 1979 vintage in this region achieved a score of 88 points and is described as soft and charming. Barbaresco wines are primarily sourced from the municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso, and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, and are often considered an elegant counterpart to Barolo.
Nebbiolo, the sole grape used for this wine, is an Italian top variety known for producing elegant wines with great structure. It is deeply tied to the Piedmont region, particularly in the Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Today, Prunotto operates as the Piedmont base for the large Italian Antinori empire, which acquired the house in 1989 and gained full control in 1994. Based in Alba, the estate continues to produce a wide portfolio of Piedmont wines, maintaining a legacy that has followed the house through more than a century of ownership changes.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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