2005 Barbera d'Alba Santo Stefano di Perno, Monforte d'Alba, Mascarello

"The wine's high quality and elegance owes much to the elevated single Santo Stefano vineyard, located in the Monforte d'Alba hamlet of Perno, with its deep iron-rich marl and sandstone soils. Sage and red cherry fruit fruit aromas pepper the very fine nose, while the palate continues in this vein, being very refined, suave, woven with the subtlest of structure and great breed; in fact such is the wine's race and vineyard resonance that it reminds one more of Nebbiolo than Barbera. Very senior...drinking now and over the next 5 years. Excellent with any wild mushroom dish." (David Berry Green - BBR Buyer)