Ca'Rossa, Barbera d'Alba 2013, Italy
Piedmont in the north west of Italy is home to some of Italy, and the world's, greatest wines. The fame perhaps rests with Barolo and Barbaresco, but insiders know that from smaller appellations there is fantastic quality to be found from the right producers. This week we taste a gorgeous Barbera wine from Cascina Ca'Rossa, a small family operation in the hills of the Roero sub-region.
Made from 100% Barbera, it comes from high altitude, steeply sloping vineyards that are worked organically. The Ferrio family - Alfonso and his son, Stefano - make super intelligent, fresh and pure wines across their portfolio (see my feature on Cascina Ca'Rossa on wine-pages.com) and this unoaked example brims with black cherry, pepper and briar, a bittersweet touch of cocoa too, but real raciness and elegance immediately. On the palate there is beautiful balance: more of that black cherry and plum, hints of leafy, autumnal quality, but it is the fine, delicate tannin structure and the sheerness of the acidity that gives this lovely focus, length and real joie-de-vivre. Watch the video for more information. £13.95 from Ten Acre Wines (ten-acre.com) who will also offer 10% off any of Ca'Rossa's wines until the end of Ocotber 2014 to those quoting CaRossa10 when they order.
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