2012 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone- Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (8/1/2015)
A Barbera to take seriously … From a one hectare, southeast facing vineyard in Castiglione Falletto. The vines are more than 90 years old. Deep but bright, iridescent colour. An attractive, lifted nose of black raspberries, cherries and blackberries, with a hints of plum and dark florals. On palate, good depth and concentration (the yield was only 25 HL per HA). Flavours of wild blackberries, dark cherries and a touch of espresso. Very dark fruited. Fresh and vibrant with good acidity. Ultra-fine grained tannins and satiny texture. Delicious now. Optimally, give the Vietti five years to better integrate and with this structure and stuffing it’ll easily, I would say, go 20+ years. Excellent!
Howard, some high-priced Vietti in my area but today I did come across a 2013 Barbera d`Alba Le Ciliegie from Manzone who is a good Barolo producer. Any opinion please?
I really think I should be sampling more Barbera, good choice here in town.
Just so happened to randomly be drinking an old-school CA Barbera tonight. Actually FAR exceeded expectations, and was a tasty little bottle.
TN: NV Sebastiani Barbera Bin No. 51.
Given that there’s 3 total bottles in CT…with 1 of those being mine…not exactly a ton of people holding onto this one…which makes it a fun one for me to try.
Purchased recently from original owner, and this bottle is pristine. decent amount of bricking on the rim, but less than one would expect. Not giving up a ton on the nose, aside from earthy characteristics, and a slight hint of stewed fruit.
On the palate, still some solid red fruit remaining with a decent amount of acidity, and lots of secondary characteristics (leather). Actually got better with about 10 minutes of air, and then slowly progressed for the next 30 minutes or so. Per the last CT users comments (which happened to be from yesterday…what are the odds), this is probably from the late 60’s given the flat bottomed bottle.
1 glass left, so we’ll see how it pans out later tonight…but a great experience, and a joy to drink this wine at ??? age, and very low expectations (which it clearly exceeded).
Bob, I don’t know that Manzone, so I can’t comment. I’ve had a quick look at my notes from our Piemonte visit in June and (roughly in order) I enjoyed Barberas from G Conterno and Vietti (but, yes, their prices are high), Cantina del Pino, GB Burlotto, Brovia, Sandrone, Marchesi di Gresy, Massolino and Brezza. From the shop list you PMed me I’d try the 2012 Burlotto Aves (I had the 2013 at the winery and it was excellent!).
I picked up a few 03s of this wine at auction (for a great price - I think high 20s or low 30s) and they were insane. So delicious and food friendly. Joyful wine.
Bob
Might be worth PM’ing Birger, or posting on the Wine Pages forum, as Manzone is one that Birger has championed. I have been there to taste, but I think I was spending too much time translating (badly) to take notes myself.
regards
Ian
Roagna makes a very good Barbera d’Alba that they produce using techniques similar to their Barolo, with long maceration followed by long aging in neutral botte. Small production and $30 per bottle.
I love the Vietti, and there is no question that they can last. In Rome in 2009, they had a 1978 Barbera from another producer on the wine list so I couldn’t resist. The waiter tossed the first bottle without bringing it to the table because it was bad, but the second bottle was outstanding.
Off-topic gripe: I have been exploring California Barbera wines for a little while. I have asked for suggestions, to which I inevitably receive guidance to the effect that, for my money, Italy is a better choice. Well, case in point, I am told that I would do better with a Vietti. How is the price a better value than $25 California juice? I am not knocking Piedmontese wines, especially universally recognized wineries, or, for that matter, the individuals who suggest them; I only wish to discover less costly Barbera for the time being.
Rich and Drew, sorry I don’t have any experience with US Barbera. I don’t see it in my market and can’t comment.
Olivier, I had the 2010 of your Vajra and thought it was very good.
Wow! NZ wine pricing is generally higher than US but here this wine retails for $US49. It’s not cheap, but, with G Conterno’s, IMO it’s the best on the market.
At Vietti, we also tasted the ‘Regular’ 2012 Scarrone that was almost as good as the VV (vines planted 1988, so hardly ‘young vines’), which will be cheaper.
We also tasted the '11 d’Asti Superiore Nizza La Crena (in Mario Cordero’s view a ‘great Barbera vintage’), from vines planted in 1932 (yield only about 20HL per HA) which was my favourite of the three. Unfortunately, it’s not available here.
Finally, at less than half of the price of the VV here, there is the entry level d’Alba Tre Vigne. We tried the '13 and it was quite serviceable.
I got some 2001’s back when they were just $40/bottle and drank them too soon (7-10 years old). This is a wine that really needs time sideways…almost like a Barolo.
