Barbera loves a warm vintage, and that's exactly what it got in 2017. Roberto Conterno tells me his favorite recent vintages are 2015, 2016 and 2017. Because of low yields in this hot and dry year, no large-format bottles of the 2017 Barbera d'Alba Cerretta were produced. The Cerretta vineyard is characterized by a higher percentage of clay soils, and this greatly impacts the density and the power of the wines that come from this site. This wine shows dark fruit intensity with some lingering sweetness (followed by 15.5% alcohol). However, the wine also offers concentrated freshness packed tight within the thick fiber of the fruit, and the results are never heavy. This beautiful wine just oozes Barbera typicity with soft and generous layering.

Black cherry, blackberry, iron and subtle chocolate flavors mark this energetic Barbera. Precise, turning taut as this builds to a long finish. Though concentrated, this feels elegant and racy. Drink now through 2024. 20 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add