La Ca’Növa
Overview
La Ca’Növa is an outstanding traditional Barbaresco estate owned by the Rocca family, situated in the township of Barbaresco itself. The estate produces benchmark classical Barbaresco from several of the appellation’s finest crus, including Montefico (where they own the entirety of the Bric Mentina sub-parcel at the vineyard’s summit) and Montestefano (40-year-old vines, now in their prime). All wines are fermented with native yeasts, given month-long macerations, and raised in Austrian oak botti — the most traditional of Piedmontese cellar regimes. VFTC #117 describes the Rocca family’s approach as producing “beautifully classic” Barbaresco of stunning purity. A Barbera d’Alba and Nebbiolo delle Langhe round out the range.
Appellations
- Barbaresco — Montefico (Bric Mentina), Montestefano, Normale
- Nebbiolo delle Langhe
- Barbera d’Alba
Key Wines
- Barbaresco Normale — from Barbaresco township; limestone-rich soils; 14.5% typical in warm vintages; long maceration; botti élevage
- Barbaresco “Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina” — at the summit of Montefico hillside, on the Barbaresco/Neive boundary; Gilman’s favorite Barolo-zone cru; inherently elegant personality; 94 points in 2022
- Barbaresco “Montestefano” — 40-year-old vines (note: Gilman erroneously reported 20yo in a prior issue, corrected in VFTC #117); 94 points in 2022
- Nebbiolo delle Langhe — 20-year-old vines, chalky soils; 3000L botti; native yeasts; 90+ points in 2023
- Barbera d’Alba — 3000L Austrian oak botti; 91 points in 2023
Style Notes
Fully traditional approach: native yeast fermentations, long macerations (~30 days), aged exclusively in large Austrian oak botti. No barriques. No new wood of any kind. The wines reflect Barbaresco’s inherent elegance relative to Barolo — red-fruited, perfumed with roses and red curry, structured for long aging. The 2022 Normale (drought vintage) is earmarked 2045–2100; the single-vineyard 2022s share the same window. Gilman notes that the 2022s are “long-distance runners” that will need extensive cellaring but will have a very long plateau.
Gilman Scores (VFTC #117, May-June 2025)
| Wine | Vintage | Score | Drink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbaresco Montefico Bric Mentina | 2022 | 94 | 2045–2100 |
| Barbaresco Montestefano | 2022 | 94 | 2045–2100 |
| Barbaresco Normale | 2022 | 92+ | 2045–2100 |
| Nebbiolo delle Langhe | 2023 | 90+ | 2031–2050 |
| Barbera d’Alba | 2023 | 91 | 2025–2040 |
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
- VFTC #117 (John Gilman, May-June 2025), pages 102–129 (Italian section)