Nino Negri : Vigna Fracia 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Vigna Fracia 2020 from Nino Negri

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a bright, intense ruby hue with garnet highlights that become more pronounced with aeration.

Nose

The nose shows remarkable aromatic complexity, led by notes of sweetbriar and violet. These floral aromas evolve toward spicy nuances of rosemary and lavender, echoing the wild vegetation of the vineyard. Subtle mineral touches complete the bouquet, alongside aromas of raspberry, damp earth, alpine herbs and orange peel.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals a dense, finely woven tannic structure, with well-integrated tannins that harmonize with a signature fresh acidity. The medium-bodied texture delivers substance and depth without excessive power. The finish is long and persistent, marked by a particularly pleasant mineral sensation. The balance between the wine’s natural robustness and its elegance makes it approachable now, while also offering fine aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with roasted and grilled meats, especially game, lamb, kid goat and duck. It also works wonderfully with aged alpine cheeses, mushroom risottos and pasta with more elaborate tomato-based sauces.

Serving and cellaring

Vigna Fracia 2020 can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop until around 2030.

An outstanding alpine Nebbiolo from Valtellina in Lombardy

The estate

Founded in 1897 by Nino Negri in Chiuro, the estate now covers 31 to 35 hectares in the finest areas of Valtellina, in Lombardy. Owned by Gruppo Italiano Vini since the 1980s, Nino Negri is the group’s flagship and the region’s largest producer, accounting for around 30% of Valtellina’s total production. Under the oenological direction of Danilo Drocco since 2017, the estate perpetuates a tradition of heroic viticulture on millennia-old dry-stone terraces recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. Nino Negri embodies the excellence of Italian mountain wines worldwide.

The vineyard

Vigna Fracia is the first parcel acquired by Nino Negri in 1897 and remains the estate’s emblem. This 7-hectare parcel is located in the Valgella subzone of the Valtellina Superiore appellation, at the convergence of several alpine valleys that create an exceptional microclimate. The terraced vineyards rest on granite, schist and gravel soils that are shallow and highly free-draining, forcing the roots to penetrate deep into the rock. The site benefits from ideal southern exposure between 300 and 800 meters above sea level. Paradoxically, near-Mediterranean vegetation of lavender and rosemary coexists with cool alpine temperatures. Entirely manual viticulture requires around 1,500 hours of work per hectare.

The vintage

The winter of 2019-2020 in Lombardy was exceptionally snowy and rainy. Spring 2020 marked a radical shift, with dry, warm conditions, followed by an early summer with very low rainfall and above-average temperatures, triggering the onset of veraison as early as the beginning of July. Until mid-September, temperatures remained unusually high, with heavy rainfall. At the end of September, temperatures dropped drastically, creating optimal conditions for the final ripening of nebbiolo. These extreme climatic swings fostered an exceptional expression of the grape variety.

Vinification and aging

The Vigna Fracia 2020 grapes were harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, then destemmed and crushed. Fermentation took place in tanks with temperature-controlled maceration between 25°C and 28°C, enabling optimal extraction of color, tannins and aromas. After alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, the wine rested for a minimum of 12 months in medium-sized oak casks and French barriques. A further 18 months of bottle aging preceded release, bringing a harmonious integration of the elements and ideal balance.

Grape variety

100% nebbiolo (locally called chiavennasca).