Longing for more 2007 Fontanafredda Barbera? Sorry, that’s gone. But we did manage to find another awesome example of Barbera from the great 2007 vintage for the same price! Cantine Sant’Agata is a boutique winery located in Asti’s sweet spot for Barbera and produces several cuvees of the stuff, all imported for the first time (we think). Initially, the Cavallero brothers started Sant’Agata in 1992 with an eye towards rejuvenating the reputation of the nearly extinct Ruche grape (of which they’re still one of the top producers of note), but even they could not ignore the siren call of Barbera from this unique terroir. This wine knocked us out for its density of black cherry fruit, plump middle, deceptive length and hands-off winemaking. Just gorgeous to drink now, we think you’ll be able to hit this bottling up for a good time next summer as well. Impressive, only the volume of wine (it’s a small importer) kept this from an even bigger play.
