Tasting Notes: The Fletcher Nebbiolo d'Alba is a Barbaresco hidden as a Nebbiolo. The vineyards sit outside of Barbaresco, on the far side of the Tanaro river in two different regions, Scaparoni and Monta but the style is more akin to Barbaresco than a simple Nebbiolo. This is the one wine that shows a touch of his Australian history with more power and extraction, and a glossy, polished feel to the final product, than you might normally find in a wine at this price point. A great introduction to Fletcher.
Estate History: David Fletcher is an Australian expat living in Piemonte making wine since 2007. David fell in love with wine in his native Australia where he studied enology at Adelaide University before moving to Burgundy to work some harvests. After returning to Australia, he fell in love with Nebbiolo and decamped for the hills of the Langhe in Piemonte. There he began working for the Barolo estate Ceretto, first as an assistant and now as head winemaker.
As an outsider it was a challenge to integrate himself with the people and traditions of his new home but as a testament to his passion, respect for history and skill making wine, he has done just that. David, alongside his wife Eleanor and their two young daughters, were able to buy Barbaresco's abandoned train station to convert into their cantina and home. Sitting at the foot of vineyards that are visible through the windows, the vision is now complete.
