Formerly a salesman, Domenico Clerico became the full time winemaker at his family's small domain in 1979. Since then he has had a remarkable career: Clerico is one of the most respected names in Piedmont, and Domenico is renowned as one of the wine world's greatest characters.  One of 'Parker's darlings' during Parker's heyday, he is immensely successful, and now has one of Piedmont's most spectacular new wineries to prove it. Almost painfully intense, enigmatic, spiritual, prone to baffling Zen-like pronoucements  - and even more baffling weighty silences - he is both deeply passionate and fiercely intelligent, committed to excellence and zealously determined to express the full potential of Piemontese grapes and terroirs.  At first he can be intimidating (in the way that fiercely ambitious people can be), but he also has an utterly disarming childlike way of taking great delight in simple things - his own jokes for instance. And you soon figure out what the ambition is all about: all he really wants to do is make the best wine he possibly can and share it with people who deserve it.

Today we are thrilled to offer two Cru Barolos from the famous Ginestra hill in Monforte d'Alba. Separated by only a few hundred meters the Ciabot Mentin (Ginestra) and Pajana Crus are textbook examples of the Monforte d' Alba commune, which are known for their concentration and long aging ability. The two wines are from 45-50 year old vines that see identical treatment in the winery. A 25-30 day maceration is followed by fermentation in modern rotofermenters.  The élevage is for 24 months in French oak barriques (80% new). The differences between the wines results solely from the differences in altitude and exposition.  The 'Sori' (hilltop vineyard) of Ciabot Mentin is located at 450 m with a south and southeast exposure. Pajana is at a slightly lower elevation following the crest of the Ginestra hill. The wines are classic Clerico - densely structured and crackling with energy, but with a generosity that belies their tremendous ability to age.