2015 Barbera d'Alba, Priòra, Superiore, Fratelli Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy
Critics reviews
Monica Larner - 31/08/2018
About this WINE
Fratelli Alessandria
A moment’s reflection is required before understanding the wines of Fratelli Alessandria: all the estate’s vines (except their cru Gramolere) are in the commune of Verduno. Not usually bracketed with familiar and renowned communes, the village sits on the north-eastern border of the region. It’s almost more of an extension of neighbouring Roero, with sandier soils and a moderating influence from the Tanaro river. All this adds up to a lighter, more delicate and perfumed style of Barolo – of which Fratelli Alessandria are brilliant exponents.
Today, Vittore Alessandria runs the traditional cellar, while his brother Ale tends 15 hectares of vineyards. Their first vintage was in 1978, and Fratelli Alessandria was the first producer to put Monvigliero on a label. 2001 saw the first Gramolere and 1997 was their first vintage of San Lorenzo, which is only produced in their best vintages – of course, there is a 2019!
Barbera
Barbera is planted extensively in Piedmont and south-west Lombardy and accounts for over 50% of the wine produced in the region. The majority is sold simply as Barbera del Piemonte, but the best wines are the DOCs, Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti. It ripens late (after Dolcetto but before Nebbiolo).
The wines are usually ruby red in colour with notably low levels of tannins. They have a pronounced acidity that can be accentuated by overproduction. Barbera wines range from light, tart mouthwashers through to powerful, intensely flavoured wines that require extended cellaring.
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Description
This wine shows a darkly saturated appearance with inky garnet highlights. The 2015 Barbera d'Alba Prira is a medium-bodied red wine that is packed tight with blackberry and Morello cherry. The mouthfeel is soft and robust with spicy endnotes of cinnamon and dark vanilla bean. The warm 2015 vintage shows great results with the Barbera grape. Some 6,000 bottles were produced.
Monica Larner - 31/08/2018
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