Schiavenza Barolo Prapo 2017

Schiavenza Barolo Prapò

Schiavenza is located in Serralunga d'Alba in the heart of Piedmont's Langhe district. In 1956, brothers Vittorio and Ugo Alessandria founded the estate. Formerly, both the estate and surrounding area were part of the Opera Pia Barolo (picture a castle that is part educational institution and part hospital) whose vineyards were worked by sharecroppers. The local dialect for sharecropping is schiavenza. Today, the estate is run by the second-generation Alessandria sisters, Enrica and Maura, and their husbands Luciano Pira and Walter Anselma. They have holdings in Serralunga with a very small plot in Monforte d’Alba, and include the heralded crus Prapò, Cerretta, and Broglio.

Schiavenza has 0.9 hectares in the Prapò cru, which equates to roughly 2 acres. They get prime southeast exposure, showcasing the best of the vines that were planted in 1993. Of all their crus, this is the one in which the soil is most representative of Serralunga: its high percentage of light-colored limestone naturally limits yields and results in wines that are rugged in nature but never aggressive; they are beautifully made with the perfect level of restraint and harmony.