Negretti Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Located in Piedmont, in the province of Cuneo, Negretti is a family-run winery that has been active since the early 1900s and is now owned by brothers Ezio and Massimo. The vineyards extend over approximately 13 hectares and are spread across the hills of La Morra, Roddi, and Monforte d'Alba. The Barbera grapes are sourced from the Bettolotti vineyard, planted in 1990 in the municipality of La Morra at an altitude between 230 and 270 meters above sea level. Here, the vines are rooted in brown, marly soil and enjoy an eastern exposure. After harvesting and temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, the finished wine ages in a mix of French and German oak of various sizes for a year. The result is an exuberant wine with a brilliant ruby ​​color and violet highlights. Its aromatic profile is intense and broad, with notes of plum, blackcurrant, and blackberry alternating with hints of spice, wood, and coffee. On the palate, it is expressive, warm, and round, with a well-integrated fruitiness and ripe tannins. It has a pronounced acidity and a long, persistent finish that recalls toasted notes. It's a very food-friendly wine: try it with beef bourguignon, pappardelle with hare sauce, and aged cheeses.