Wines

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). 

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.

91 Points! A bright magenta ruby color, the 2022 Dolcetto D’Alba Bricco Lago is fruity and spicy with lifted aromas of crunchy mixed berries and fruit candied flowers, and a nice lift of spice. Like the 2023 that was tasted from barrel, this vintage also takes a page from the style book of cru Beaujolais and is bright and crunchy, with ripe tannins, a rocky texture, and a lot of crunchy fruit. Drink it over the next several years. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

Vineyards lie in Monforte, in an area with particularly great natural biodiversity. Elena and Luca strongly believe in Dolcetto as an important “tool” for young wine drinkers and their entry level exposure to the Langhe. The grapes are vinified whole cluster and aging takes place in stainless steel for this fragrant rendition of Dolcetto.

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

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.

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.