2024FletcherWines‘CantinadellaStazione’Barberad’Alba,Piedmont,Italy

<p>This Barbera comes from his own 60-year-old vines in the Alba DOC, in a site known locally as Bricco Capre. The old vines are naturally low-yielding, producing small berries with crunchy skins and remarkable concentration, translating into just a few thousand bottles annually. The clay-limestone soils lend depth and richness, while the elevated position ensures balance and freshness. Fermentation is spontaneous in open vats, with Dave incorporating a portion of whole bunches to heighten aromatic lift and temper Barbera’s natural intensity; extraction is gentle, prioritizing perfume over tannin. After eight months in seasoned barriques over a decade old, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. In the glass, it shows lifted red and blackberry aromatics layered with darker fruit depth, spice, and a mouthwatering, racy finish. With air, its structure becomes more defined, revealing a balance of elegance and vigor that makes it equally compelling on its own or alongside hearty Piedmontese fare. </p><p>