Barbera d'Alba, Riserva, Pozzo dell' Annunziata, 2015

Plush, juicy and overall very smart indeed. Silky, heady summer berry fruits, hints of strawberries and cream, raspberries and cherries but with a crisp fruit edge and saltiness giving this focus and structure. Analytically the acidity is very high but there is such substance and exuberance that this is well-hidden. One of the most special Barbera bottlings there is. A blend of wine from the Pozzo and Annunziata vineyards both in the La Morra commune. The vines aren’t particularly old, averaging 20 years; however, the extraordinarily high planting density makes for microscopic yields, only half a kilo per vine. The wine is aged in new barriques, 40% new oak.