A visit to Barolo would not be complete without a stop at Marchesi di Barolo. The property is currently owned by Anna and Ernesto Abbona. This a winery that has it all: history, culture, great wines and a fantastic restaurant. Since I’ve worked up an appetite with walking the hills of the region the first order of business is to check out the restaurant.
The courtyard of the property was decorated with traditional winemaking displays and there was a poster which featured some of the dishes served in the restaurant. The food looked delicious in those photos.
Foresteria Marchesi di Barolo is the lovely setting for my lunch.
The first course was veal in tuna sauce paired with a 2013 Gavi di Gavi. This was such a great combination. The wine was floral with scents of camomile flowers. It was crisp, delicate and refreshing.
The second course was a vegetable flan with a Bearnaise sauce. This was paired with a Barbera d’Alba 2009 Ruvei. The flan had a nice creamy texture. The wine was fruity with aromas of blackberry, and red fruits. It was spicy with vanilla and toasted hazelnuts notes. A very fragrant wine which was fresh on the palate.
It wouldn’t be Italy without a little pasta. Agnolotti with butter and sage paired with 2009 Cannubi Barolo. The Agnolotti was art on a plate that tasted every bit as good as it looked. Delicious! The wine was an amazing example of richness and although it was young it was very pleasurable to drink. A very black fruit dominated wine with fine, velvet like tannins.
Veal braised in Barolo sauce was the fourth course. It was served with 2 Barolos. The 2009 Sarmassa was a very structured wine. The 2006 Barolo Riserva was intense and full bodied with great integration of tannins and flavors.
Finally it was time for dessert. This was served with a lovely Moscato d’Asti called Zagara. This wine smelled of orange blossoms, peach, and apricot flowers.
The food was beautifully presented and was delicious. The wines were fantastic. Everything was exceptional. I would highly encourage everyone to spend a few hours enjoying a leisurely lunch at Marchesi Di Barolo. Now time to walk off some of those calories and tour the winery.
