Italian Pick of The Week, 3/3/08
La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Bionzo”, 2003, Piemonte
This is one of the Piedmont’s larger and more succesful producers, all of whose wines are unfiltered, unfined and in most cases created using biodynamic methods.The “Bionzo” Barbera debuted in 1998 and only 3000 cases per year are made from truly old vines which have the benefit of southern exposure. Having spent 16 to 18 months in French oak that was mildly charred, this Barbera has the natural ingredients and enhancements to give pleasure for another twenty years or so.
This is a wine that is both approachable and generous now AND has aging potential. The nose is all dark fruits and Piedmontese terroir. The palate is full with black berries, currants and a lush and mouthfilling roundness. Undercurrents of tobacco mingle with vanilla and savory minerals backed by chalky tannins that are evident but not excessively dry, and fruity acidity.
One of the better Barberas to come to our attention.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
- Best of Philly
- Daily Wine News!
- Jamie Goode’s Blog
- The Wine Collector
- The Wine Investor
- Vinography
- Wine 101 - The Wine School of Philadelphia
- Wine Flair
- Wine for Dummies
- Wine Prices, Ratings, Reviews
The Wine School Today
The November Newsletter! http://aweber.com/b/23xGx # Follow the conversations on Twitter!
Online Wine?
Get connected to the Wine School online! From our popular wine rating & review newsletter to our 1/4 million wine-related contacts on Linkedin to our daily "Life at the Wine School" tweets. Its all yours, for free.
