With the Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano 1997, La Spinetta presents the inaugural vintage bottling of this cru in Treiso. Situated at around 380 metres of elevation with a southwestern exposure, the Valeirano vineyard is defined by calcareous, clay-rich, and partially sandy marl soils of marine origin. This geological affinity with the soils of Serralunga d’Alba endows the wine with a mineral depth unusual for Barbaresco alongside a taut, long-lived structural frame.  

The 1997 vintage displays an opulent, ripe, yet remarkably precise expression. The bouquet unites concentrated red and dark berries with ripe cherry, plum, and delicate exotic spices, accompanied by rose petals, tea leaf, sage, and balsamic nuances that are joined by leather, smoke, and cocoa with aeration. It is precisely this marriage of opulent fruit and mineral-savoury depth that sets Valeirano clearly apart from lighter, more overtly floral Barbarescos.

On the palate, the Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano 1997 possesses abundant extract and body while remaining astonishingly clearly contoured. Ripe fruit feels dense and velvety, supported by still-vibrant acidity that ensures freshness. Now significantly more resolved and fine-grained, the tannins retain ample substance to impart length and tension. Mineral notes, liquorice, balsamic herbs, and dark spice lead into a long, concentrated finish. Contemporary tasting notes early on praised the wine as exceptionally structured, powerful, and tannin-rich.  

Today, the Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano 1997 impressively showcases the union of power, minerality, and elegance for which this vineyard is renowned at La Spinetta. After nearly three decades, its youthful power has evolved into a multi-layered, supple texture without losing its signature structural frame. Now in a captivating stage of maturity, well-cellared bottles are best enjoyed for their tertiary complexity and pronounced sense of place.