Domenico Clerico : Pajana 2019

Tasting Notes and Serving Recommendations for the Barolo Ginestra Pajana 2019 from Domenico Clerico

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a deep, saturated ruby-red hue, lifted by subtle garnet highlights at the rim of the glass.

Nose
Expressive and complex, the nose opens with intense aromas of dark fruit (black cherry, plum, blackberry) alongside notes of cherry liqueur. With aeration, the bouquet reveals a lovely herbal dimension, with touches of menthol, eucalyptus, dill, and licorice. Dried floral nuances of iris, violet, and rose petal intertwine with tertiary notes reminiscent of forest floor, tobacco, and balsamic accents.

Palate
On the palate, this Barolo shows a medium- to full-bodied frame with a core of dark fruit that gradually evolves, unveiling additional layers of complexity. The tannic structure is firm and enveloping—both silky and elegant—with ripe, fine-grained tannins. A spine of refreshing acidity balances the warming alcohol, while flavors of red fruit (raspberry, strawberry) mingle with notes of dried fruit, licorice, white pepper, and orange zest. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This Barolo pairs beautifully with braised red meats such as osso buco or slow-cooked beef short ribs. It also matches wonderfully with game meats (venison, wild boar, wild duck) and truffle-based dishes such as a truffle risotto or truffle tagliatelle. Aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino also make excellent pairings. Dishes featuring wild mushrooms—especially a porcini risotto—create perfect harmony with this wine.

Serving and aging

It is recommended to serve the Barolo Ginestra Pajana 2019 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours before serving will allow the wine to fully open and reveal all its aromatic complexity. According to critics, this wine can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to evolve beautifully until around 2045.

An elegant Barolo from Piedmont, a refined expression of the Ginestra cru in Monforte d'Alba

The estate

Founded in 1976, the Domenico Clerico estate now spans approximately 21 hectares of vineyards located in the most prestigious crus of Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba. An emblematic figure of the “Barolo Boys” movement in the 1980s, Domenico Clerico revolutionized the approach to Nebbiolo winemaking by combining respect for terroir with modern techniques. Following the founder’s passing in 2017, the estate has been led by his wife Giuliana, together with oenologist Oscar Arrivabene and Domenico’s niece, Cecilia Rocca. The estate stands out for its philosophy focused on expressing terroirs through single-parcel cuvées and its exclusive commitment to Piedmont’s three traditional grape varieties: Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto.

The vineyard

The Barolo Ginestra Pajana comes from a plot located in the prestigious Ginestra cru, within the commune of Monforte d'Alba. The name “Pajana” refers to an old road that historically linked Monforte d'Alba to Serralunga d'Alba. Planted in 1971 and replanted in 1991, this vineyard benefits from a southeast-facing exposure at an altitude of around 330–340 meters. The soils, dating from the Serravallian period, are composed of 23.5% sand, 53.4% silt, and 23.1% clay, with a high level of active limestone. This combination lends the wine elegance and aromatic complexity. Vineyard management follows organic methods, with rigorous green harvesting before the harvest to limit yields and encourage concentration.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage proved particularly favorable for Nebbiolo in Piedmont. After several more challenging years at the start of the decade, 2019 benefited from adequate rainfall early in the growing season, followed by a warm, sunny summer and autumn. These conditions allowed the grapes to reach optimal phenolic ripeness while preserving fine freshness and balanced acidity levels. In Monforte d'Alba, the year produced Nebbiolo characterized by an excellent balance between sugar accumulation, tannin maturity, and acidity retention—ideal conditions for crafting wines that combine immediate appeal with outstanding aging potential.

Winemaking and aging

Harvested at optimal ripeness, the Pajana 2019 grapes undergo a 20- to 30-day maceration on the skins, enabling full extraction of phenolic compounds while preserving the wine’s balance. For the first time in the history of this cuvée, the 2019 vintage was aged exclusively in large 5,000-liter oak casks, moving away from the barrel program used in previous vintages. This change reflects the estate’s evolving philosophy toward reducing the influence of new oak and achieving a purer expression of terroir. The shift gives the Pajana 2019 a slightly more open, approachable character in its youth, while maintaining the structure and depth expected of this great cru.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo