La Stoppa Macchiona 2018

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service.

La Stoppa is a historic winery, founded over a century ago, and located in the province of Piacenza in the Emilia-Romagna region. The estate was acquired by the Pantaleoni family in 1973 and is currently managed by Elena Pantaleoni, with the support of oenologist Giulio Armani. Its approximately 30 hectares of vineyards are cultivated using organic farming methods, with minimal intervention in the cellar.

Macchiona is a blend of Barbera and Croatina, sourced from a vineyard approximately 30 years old, planted on silty-clay soils. Following the harvest, the grapes undergo fermentation with indigenous yeasts in a combination of steel and concrete tanks, with a maceration period of about 40 days. The finished wine is then aged in barrels of various sizes for 12 months.

In the glass, the wine reveals a deep, intense ruby ​​hue. Its aromatic profile is broad and expressive, opening with notes of wild berries intertwined with hints of leather and earth. On the palate, it is warm, concentrated, and exuberant—powerful yet well-balanced, with refreshing acidity and a solid tannic backbone. The finish is long and layered. Try it with pappardelle in a wild boar ragù, or with a beef and mushroom stew.