Search results for: 'alba good'

From the Importer: Produced from grapes hand-harvested from sand-infused soils in the Valmaggiore vineyard site in the village of Vezza d’Alba, just north of Alba.  This is a half-hectare vineyard that faces south at 340 meters altitude.  The vines were planted in 1975.  This wine is not oak-aged; rather it is racked into a stainless steel vat to age for at least one year before bottling.  Approximately 2,500 bottles are produced of this elegant, velvety wine of medium-body and exquisite balance; half of that production is destined for the US market. 

From ancient Barbera vines planted in 1930! 

Outside of Vietti’s famed Scarrone vineyard and a small patch owned by Elvio Cogno, these may very well be the oldest Barbera vines in the Alba zone! What a treasure. And the wine? A true vinous treasure in its own right. The Montaribaldi Barbera d'Alba Dü Gir 2020 is delicious liquid history, a concentrated, powerful, intense, yet totally balanced Barbera from these ancient vines.

 There’s a reason we love Barbera around here. Well, several reasons but the first is the wine’s combination of deep, inky fruit, bright perky acid and very soft tannins. This wine is electric, delivering these deep, dark black fruit flavors on a punchy, bright platform, enhanced by a kiss of new French oak and delivered via soft, almost imperceptible tannins, leaving only a trail of delicious berry fruit in its wake. A complete joy to drink and an absolute gem with all Italian foods, it’s the most versatile, compatible Italian red on the dinner table that we’re aware of…and did we say it was damn fun to drink?

Best. Nascetta. Ever. Young Marengo is a rising star...

Sourced from 2.2 hectares in different vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba, at altitudes of 370-400m. The oldest vines date back to 1965, while the youngest were planted in 2006.

91 Points! A fresh and floral nose with notes of cherries and cooked strawberries with orange peel and spices. Medium-bodied, juicy and crunchy with dusty tannins and vibrant fruit. Flavorful finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

92 Points! Aromas of dried orange peel, hibiscus and walnuts with generous red fruit in the background. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and vivid acidity. Linear and fresh. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

A rarity! Generally never imported into the U.S. but we managed to snag a few cases. This dolcetto comes from the Bricco Mirasole vineyard in Castiglione Falletto, made in very small quantities, less than 5,000 bottles. Brilliant...

A new submission from this historic estate, the Bovio 2021 Barbera d'Alba Il Ciotto is vinous and very primary with raw flavors of blackberry and ripe plum. The wine exhibits a thickened and darkened appearance with blackberry or black cherry confit. This thickly concentrated red has soft tannins and a dense, cushiony texture. Il Ciotto's overriding theme is fresh black fruit. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

From the importer:

This Barbera is produced from grapes harvested in the “Garblet” vineyard (also known as “Fiasco”) of Castiglione Falletto from a 0.8 hectare plot on a south-southeast facing slope at 250 meters altitude. The major part of the vineyard was planted in 1970 with a portion being replanted in 1993.  The “Sori del Drago” is fermented at 28 degrees Celsius for slightly more than a week. The wine is then racked into stainless steel tank and is aged for 15 to 18 months before being bottled (unfiltered). 

The Dolcetto of the vintage thus far? This one's pretty hard to beat. From San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, Vigneto Grasmeri; South-east facing at 280m altitude. Late-ripening - harvested early October. Thinned twice throughout growing season - no more than 1.5kg fruit per vine; final yield 5000 kg/hA form 55+ year-old vines.

Crushed and fermented in small concrete & stailess tanks, varying between 5-10 hL. Macerated 30-40 days with submerged cap, prior to the grapes being pressed in traditional basket press. Aged in concrete & steel barrels for 6 months prior to 1 year's aging in bottle.

93 Points! From barrel, the 2022 Barbera D’Alba Carra sports a youthful dark purple color and is fruity with ripe plum and pressed lavender as well as some iron richness and gamey notes. Medium to full-bodied, it’s snappy with fresh acidity, but it has a more rounded feel. With some notes of ripe wild herbs that last through the elegant finish, this is a classic and ripe vintage, but it retains very nice freshness. Drink it over the next several years. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points! The Cascina Penna-Currado 2022 Barbera d'Alba Carrà is executed as a "Superiore," although it is not labeled as such. Proprietors Elena Penna and Luca Currado say they only envisage having one Barbera in their new portfolio in addition to cru selections of Nebbiolo. They have a 25-year lease on the site that provides fruit for this pretty wine, and a careful selection is made to prioritize the best clusters. Healthy fruit is produced here thanks to luminosity and cool hillside breezes. A brief maceration is executed, and the wine matures in Slavonian oak casks. Tart plum and blackberry is folded into tangy licorice over medium-plus richness. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

Luca and Elena have always been particularly invested in Barbera d’Alba as they were among the first to invest in it seriously. They believe strongly in the potential of this grape in communicating what the Langhe has to offer to a wide audience. The Carrà site is in the San Sebastiano area of Municipality of Monforte, with a particularly great natural biodiversity. Grapes come from predominantly from two parcels; one planted in 1965 and another in 2000. The wine is vinified partially whole cluster and aged in botti making it rich and concentrated but not too ripe.

PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

95-96 Points! Very good poise, tension and depth, with a light peppery, mineral and citrusy touch to the fruit. Good fruit here, with medium to full body and elastic, chalky tannins. There is something quite pure and transparent in the middle. So elegant, al-dente and long. An excellent wine from this difficult vintage. 70% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Picking between September 26 to October 8. - Zekun Shuai, James Suckling

92-94+ Points! A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2024 Château Bellefont-Belcier is deep purple-hued and opaque, showing remarkable purity in its black and blue fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and violet notes. Medium-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has a pure, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and integrated acidity. This château continues to never put a foot wrong, and their 2024 will absolutely be worth your time and money. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 Points! Bright, with crushed-stone and floral character on the nose. Medium body with a firm core, expanding through the palate. Vivid and bright. Lots of good energy. Crushed-stone and lightly chalky character at the end. Needs two or three years to come around. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

92 Points! The 2019 Potensac is fabulous. Bright and focused, the 2019 impresses with its energy, balance and total class. Crushed flowers, mint, cinnamon, crushed rocks and blood orange all open in the glass. The 2019 is class personified I love the purity here. The 2019 is a standout, and should be a terrific value, too. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

#BordeauxBlowout

91 Points! A fresh, balsamic-tinged version, with a core of cherry, raspberry and black pepper notes. Firm, revealing sweet fruit in the end. A good steak or pasta with ragù will provide a good match. - Wine Spectator

91 Points! Good, underlying crisp-apple acidity gives a refreshing quality to this tasty, buttery wine as it balances tanginess with good, ripe golden apple and Bartlett pear flavors. Will pair well with all sorts of salads, seafood and entrees. - Wine Enthusiast