Cannubi: The Heart of Barolo
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If Barolo is the “King of Wines,” then Cannubi is its rightful throne. Perhaps the most celebrated hill in Italy’s wine landscape and undoubtedly among the most historic vineyards – with archival research tracing the first documented mention back to 1752, the year it appeared on a label for the first time – Cannubi is a perfect blend of soil and climate factors that create wines symbolizing the finest expressions of the region, including our Barolo Cannubi and Barolo Cannubi Riserva Collezione Franco Miroglio.
THE VINEYARD
Cannubi’s Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva occupies a central position on a ridge, lower than the surrounding hills, shaped like a wedge that rises just before reaching Barolo. The tip of this wedge faces northeast, toward Alba, while the base extends southwest, ending at the edge of the village. This geographical setup provides the vineyards with optimal exposure, shielding them from cold winds and creating ideal climate conditions.
Cannubi is also a transitional zone between the two main geological areas of Barolo. On one side are the compact, deep soils of the Helvetian slope, and on the other, the softer soils of the Tortonian side. This unique soil mix, composed of sand and marl with significant limestone presence – the renowned Marne di Sant’Agata Fossili – creates a perfect blend of the different nuances of Barolo: the robustness and structure of the Helvetian sector (Lequio Formation) meet the elegance and distinctive aromas of the Marne di Sant’Agata Fossili.
At Tenuta Carretta, we cultivate 2.6 hectares of Nebbiolo vineyards within this prized region.
THE WINES
The grapes from Cannubi produce two of Tenuta Carretta’s most iconic wines: Barolo Cannubi and Barolo Cannubi Riserva Collezione Franco Miroglio.
Our Barolo Cannubi embodies Tenuta Carretta’s philosophy: highlighting the grape variety, the vineyard, and the unique characteristics of each vintage. The winemaking process includes fermentation with submerged cap maceration for 15-20 days at a temperature of 28°C. The wine then matures first in oak tonneaux and later in large barrels for at least 24 months, followed by additional bottle aging.
In the glass, Barolo Cannubi reveals a vibrant, intense garnet color. The nose offers bold aromatic notes of rose and ripe fruit, followed by hints of licorice, cocoa, and spices. On the palate, the wine boasts a complex structure, excellent acid-tannin balance, and great elegance.
Barolo Riserva DOCG Cannubi Coll. Franco Miroglio
An absolute icon of Tenuta Carretta, Barolo Riserva Cannubi Collezione Franco Miroglio celebrates both our winemaking tradition and the legacy of Franco Miroglio – a visionary entrepreneur who drove his family’s success in the manufacturing and fashion industries. It was Franco who acquired Tenuta Carretta in 1985, beginning the family’s journey into viticulture and winemaking.
Each vintage of this Barolo Riserva – limited to just 1260 bottles annually – features a unique label inspired by a fabric design from Miroglio.
This Barolo Riserva ages for over 60 months, with at least 36 months in barrels and 18 months in bottles, resulting in an elegant and structured wine with immense character and aging potential. It’s a true reflection of the legendary hill from which it hails and a respectful homage to the land.
The current vintage – 2018 – tells the story of an unusual season marked by diverse weather conditions. Winter was typical, with temperatures occasionally dropping below zero but never reaching extreme cold. The abundant rainfall helped restore the aquifers, stressed by the drought of 2017.
A chilly spring caused a delay in bud break, but the balanced weather conditions through late summer ensured perfect grape ripening, with high potential alcohol content and balanced acidity – setting the stage for great evolution. The 2018 vintage has proven capable of producing wines with excellent structure that are also soft, balanced, and harmonious, featuring exceptionally fine and velvety tannins.
