La Villa, Langhe, 2020
A wine that transparently mirrors its origins, with the supple charming frame of Arborina Nebbiolo mixed with the lush salty freshness, blossom and herbal influence of Barbera Larigi. A blend of 60% Nebbiolo and 40% Barbera from Arborina, fermented and aged in 100% new oak barriques for 18 months. The name La Villa comes from the original plot for this wine in Monforte d’Alba. Many moons ago they lost the lease on that vineyard but kept the name and moved the source to La Morra.
critic reviews
The 2020 Langhe Rosso La Villa is a blend of 60% Barbera (from the Larigi Vineyard) and 40% Nebbiolo (from Arborina). Production is limited to just 1,200 bottles. Like the Giarborina, this wine exudes a sense of generosity and accessibility that comes with warm-vintage fruit. That impression is amplified in this case, given the presence of Barbera, a grape that loves hot growing conditions and is naturally rich and fruity per se. This wine shows volume and intensity, making it a happy partner to a cheese-rich oven-baked pasta dish like lasagna. There is enough acidic freshness to cut through the fat in that dish.
The 2020 La Villa (60% Barbera, 40% Nebbiolo) is a deep, powerful wine that seems to show a bit more Barbera character in its depth and overall textural intensity. Black cherry, plum, cloves and rose petal. There's a ton of energy here, but it is all directed inwards, making the wine feel very closed and quite reticent.