03 April 2025
At Michele Chiarlo, the vineyard – and the wine – is both a starting point and a place to return to. Every wine tells the story of a place, and every place can inspire something that goes beyond the bottle. It’s a two-way relationship built on observation, listening, and interpretation. From this idea – which always puts wine first, but ties it deeply to landscape, art, and culture – come three cornerstones of the Chiarlo Experience. Three wines (Icon Crus, produced only in exceptional vintages and in limited quantities), and three places at the heart of projects where the land is not only cultivated, but interpreted, lived, and shared.
Grown on two twin hills near Castelnuovo Calcea at an altitude of around 240 meters, the La Court vineyard lies on sandy-clay soils of marine origin – poor in organic matter but rich in trace elements. The slope and the south/southwest exposure ensure consistent ripening and strong drought resistance, a crucial asset for Barbera.
From this site comes La Court Riserva, a Nizza DOCG produced only in the most balanced vintages. The harvest is late, the maceration long and carried out in oak vats, followed by aging in both large casks and barriques for a total of around 30 months. The result retains Barbera’s varietal identity – bright acidity, generous fruit – with added spice and earth tones that deepen the wine’s complexity and enhance its aging potential.
It’s a Barbera that reaches for complexity without sacrificing drinkability: solid in structure but never heavy, fruit-forward yet nuanced. A benchmark for the Nizza denomination, which Chiarlo has supported since its earliest days.
Right next to the vineyard, since 2003, stands the Art Park La Court, one of Italy’s first land art installations set among the vines. This pioneering project features works by artists such as Luzzati, Nespolo, Chris Bangle, and Giancarlo Ferraris. The park unfolds along a path inspired by the four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – blending naturally into the landscape. A space for reflection, born from the same vision that guides the work in the vineyard.
Cannubi is one of the most renowned and studied vineyards in the Langhe. The parcel cultivated by Michele Chiarlo lies in the heart of the hill, facing south/southwest, on a slope so steep it required a pioneering terracing effort – completed using grassed embankments to protect the soil structure. The terroir is where Helvetian and Tortonian marls meet, forming a sandy-limestone soil rich in magnesium and iron.
The resulting wine, Barolo Cannubi DOCG, is among the earliest to express itself yet also built for longevity. Vinification takes place in oak vats, with extended maceration and over 24 months of aging in medium-sized barrels. In the glass, it’s clean and defined, with a fine tannic texture and a bouquet that ranges from red fruit to licorice, with floral and balsamic undertones.
Balance is its hallmark: the wine exudes a natural composure that mirrors the harmony of the site it comes from. This is a Barolo that favors finesse over force – without losing depth or longevity.
In 2024, the Cannubi Path was inaugurated among the vines: an artistic trail designed by Ugo Nespolo and dedicated to Michele Chiarlo. This accessible, permanent installation invites visitors to see the hill through new eyes – where the artworks engage with the landscape, interpreting it without overpowering it. A cultural extension of an iconic cru.
Cerequio is a natural amphitheater between La Morra and Barolo – one of the Langhe’s most iconic sites. Its deep marl-rich clay-limestone soils and consistent light throughout the growing season create ideal ripening conditions. The grapes here mature slowly and steadily, preserving acidity, structure, and fine aromatic nuance.
Barolo DOCG Cerequio is one of the most representative wines of the Michele Chiarlo identity. Vinification follows a classic approach: long macerations in oak vats, aging in large casks for at least two years, followed by extended bottle aging. The result is a Barolo of breadth and structure that remains clear and expressive. The tannins are dense yet polished, and the balance between fruit and spice is precise. A wine built to age, yet already compelling in its youth.
At the heart of the cru stands Palás Cerequio, opened in 2011 – the first relais dedicated entirely to Barolo. Eleven suites overlooking the vines, a cellar holding more than 6,000 historic bottles, and a restaurant where the cuisine complements the wine without overshadowing it. A project created to offer direct contact with the landscape – and with the memory of each vintage.
