Fall 2022 Offer #2: Manuel Marinacci

Manuel Marinacci - 2017 Barbaresco Rocche Massalupo

Bottom Line - Manuel Marinacci’s 2017 Rocche Massalupo is back by popular demand. Following the spring beta season, members of all stripes (read: vinous preferences) extolled the virtues of this majestic Barbaresco. Admirers of big, structured wines were ecstatic. But so, too, were members who look for something more elegant and graceful. It’s not easy to please both camps, but Manuel’s Barbaresco was up to the task. My notes while tasting: Brambly red fruits, leather, roses, explosive length, firm tannins, no overt oak, expressive. “Veramente Luminoso” (according to my wife Sarah)

Manuel Marinacci - 2021 Dolcetto d’Alba 

Bonus wine - This red was a last-minute addition to today's offer. A few days ago, Manuel let me know that he could make some of his delicious Dolcetto available for an offer. Fortunately, I was able to taste it quickly out of the barrel a few weeks ago in the cellar. My notes were scant, but here’s what I jotted down: “Exuberant red, brambly dark fruit, floral nose, just the right amount of savory minerality, balanced, persistent. Genius everyday wine.”

To order, just click the one of the links above and follow the prompts. Keep reading for in depth information on Marinacci and his wines.

—-------tearline—-------

Wine friends,

In the spring private beta offer, I wrote: 

“Manuel produces only 20 thousand bottles of wine per year, so available quantities are limited. I’m afraid opportunities to offer his wines may not happen as often as I would like. Wait, Manuel also told me he’s a big fan of Ciro Biondi’s wines. I could bring him a bottle or two this summer. We’re certainly not above wine bribery at Open Tuesday.”

A few weeks ago, I made it back to Alba (San Rocco Seno d’Elvio) to visit Manuel Marinacci – with a bottle of Ciro Biondi Pianta under my arm. Before we started talking Barbaresco, Manuel asked if I wouldn’t mind tasting Ciro’s Pianta together, right then and there. What was I going to say? :)

We ended up talking about wine for the entire afternoon. I learned that Manuel is a wine lover of the highest order. His love for Piedmont wines (and Etna, Friuli, and Burgundy) led him to study oenology as a young man. Unlike many of his friends in school, Manuel didn’t inherit land or money to help him get started in the business. So for him, making wine in a great appellation like Barbaresco still feels like a dream come true. It’s a piccolo sogno (a little dream), as Manuel puts it.

In the spring offer, I called this 2017 Rocche Massalupo majestic, a term that gives the impression of power. I still think that’s appropriate, but after tasting this wine a few more times this summer, I now think the wine’s most striking quality is its elegance.

2017 was a warm year in Barbaresco and as a result, the wines are fruit-driven. The best examples are welcoming and delicious even when young. That’s certainly true of this wine – and the fruit is on point. It doesn’t jump out of the glass, but it’s not hiding either. 

Since my spring offer, the fruit has become better integrated into the wine. It’s less exuberant, and more interesting. The savory tobacco and leather notes are now more prominent. The mouthfeel is silkier too – and there’s more flavor depth. 

All told, I think this Barbaresco is now drinking better than when I wrote about it in the spring.

Barbaresco wines are made with 100 percent Nebbiolo, a grape that takes its name from the Italian word for fog, nebbia (or the Latin nebula). A cool morning fog blankets the vineyards of Piedmont during Nebbiolo’s late autumn harvest. 

Here is where Manuel Marinacci is on the map of northern Italy: Marinacci Manuel vini

Food pairing: Manuel texted me that he prefers to drink his Barbaresco with “BARBECUE !!!” A more conventional pairing would be risotto ai funghi porcini (risotto with porcini mushrooms), a great pick for vegetarians. I’d say this is a perfect wine to bring to an Italian restaurant. Just pay the corkage fee and order a steak.

For the Dolcetto, Manuel suggests pizza or mixed antipasti. Dolcetto is a very versatile food wine. I wouldn’t hesitate to open it with a chicken-based dish or eggplant parmigiana. Steer clear of fish though. 

Manuel Marinacci - 2017 Barbaresco Rocche Massalupo

14.5% ABV

Manuel Marinacci - 2021 Dolcetto d’Alba

14.0% ABV

To order, just click the links above and follow the prompts.

Happy Tuesday,

Chris

If you have any questions or feedback, please email us: [email protected].  

How it works: 

After clicking one of the links above, you’ll be able to request 1-12 bottles. Actually, that’s all you have to do!

About a week later, when we close the offer, you’ll get an email confirming how many bottles we allocated to your account. We will charge you when the wines are allocated.

We’ll do our best to allocate all the bottles you request. But when there are more requests than bottles available, we’ll allocate one bottle to all requesting members before allocating a second bottle to anyone. We want as many members as possible to try these wines.

This is the second of 18 offers during the fall season. We are sending offers on Tuesday and Saturday through the first week of November.

We ship in increments of 12. With 18 offers this season, there should be plenty of chances to get to 12, 24, or 36. If you don’t have an increment of 12 at the end of the fall season offers, we can hold your wines until the next offer season – spring 2023.

Wines offered in the fall will ship in late November-early December for $5 per bottle (if you have an increment of 12.) This is about the same as the price to ship coast-to-coast within the U.S. – but our wines come directly from Italy.

Once your payment method is on file, you can make future requests with just a few clicks from the offer email. If you don’t have a card on file, you can add one during your first order. Your personal financial information is protected by Stripe.

Chris MacLean

Rob Genova

Open Tuesday Wines S.r.l.s.

Via Augusto Anfossi 19, 20135 Milano - Italy