Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana 2017

Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana 2017 is a beautifully composed, single-vineyard Barolo that captures the warmth of the vintage while remaining poised and refined. Silky, long and polished on the palate, it delivers a sense of harmony that Nebbiolo typically only reveals after many more years in bottle. Produced in very limited quantities—just 5,500 bottles—this is a collectible Barolo that is also surprisingly approachable in its youth.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Pajana shows a deep garnet core with brick-red highlights at the rim—classic for Nebbiolo, yet notably vivid and youthful. The nose opens with ripe red cherry and macerated raspberry, followed by dried rose petals, violet, sweet spices, licorice, and a touch of balsamic and earth. With air, notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, tar and a hint of truffle begin to emerge, signaling its Barolo pedigree. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet finely etched, with that long, polished texture that glides rather than grips. Ripe red and black fruits are framed by well-integrated tannins and a vibrant line of acidity that keeps everything precise and focused. Flavors of cherry, plum and blood orange weave together with hints of leather, cocoa, anise and mint. The finish is persistent and layered, already beautifully composed but clearly built to evolve. While this 2017 is more accessible than many young Baroli, it has the structure to age gracefully for 12–18 years from vintage, gaining complexity and tertiary nuances over time.

Production
Barolo Pajana comes from the Pajana parcel within the famed Ginestra cru in Monforte d’Alba, one of Barolo’s most celebrated terroirs. The vineyard sits on steep, south to southeast-facing slopes with clay-limestone soils rich in marl, which give Nebbiolo both power and aromatic finesse. Yields are kept low and the grapes are harvested by hand, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only perfectly ripe clusters are used. Fermentation typically takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete with extended maceration to extract color, tannin and complexity from the skins. The wine is then matured in small French oak barrels (barriques) and larger oak for around two years, allowing the tannins to polish and the aromas to integrate, before being bottled and given further rest prior to release.

Food & Serving
This Barolo is a superb match for rich, savory dishes that can stand up to its depth and structure. Think braised beef or veal shanks, slow-cooked lamb, roasted game birds, or classic Piedmontese dishes like brasato al Barolo and tajarin pasta with butter and white truffle. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, or mature pecorino. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy-style stemware to let the aromatics fully unfold. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to soften the tannins and open up the bouquet.

Producer
Founded in the 1970s in Monforte d’Alba, the Domenico Clerico estate is one of the leading names in modern Barolo. Domenico Clerico was a pioneering figure who believed deeply in the potential of single-vineyard Nebbiolo, acquiring top parcels in crus such as Ginestra, Bussia and Mosconi and crafting Barolo of both power and elegance. Known for meticulous vineyard work and a sensitive use of barrique, he helped shape the contemporary style of Barolo that marries intensity with polish. Today, the estate continues his legacy, remaining a reference point in Piedmont and a benchmark for collectors seeking expressive, terroir-driven Barolo with real personality and aging potential.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.