Barbaresco, Gallina, 2016

A more reticent nose than the Albesani VV, this takes a while to come out of its shell, but it makes an instant impact when it does; joyous, corpulent flavours coat the mouth. Full and curvaceous and brimming with flavours of wild plums and bullace accompanied by a sweet earthiness. Initially this is all about texture and body, but opening up it it becomes more fragrant, refined and lifted, revealing complex layers of fruit that give dimension to the silky texture. A slow builder, but what a beauty it blossoms into! The VV hails from a plot of old vines located in the centre of the Cru, planted in 1953. The soil in this part of the vineyard is rich in calcareous clay, alternating with bluish-grey marl and sands. Fermentation was in wooden vats, followed by a submerged cap maceration lasting 60 days. Ageing was in large Slavonian oak casks for 36 months, prior to 36 months in bottle.