2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena
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Tasting notes
From the sandier soils of Asti, the 2021 Barbera D'Asti La Crena is forward in the glass, with mineral-driven aromas as well as notes of bright red plum, dusty earth, wild herbs, and peppery spice. Medium-bodied, it has a more vertical and mineral-driven texture, with bright acidity and more tension through the finish. It has fine tannins and a wonderful energy that carries through to its clean finish. Drink 2024-2034. Vietti was founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s and is based in Castiglione Falletto. After marrying Luciana Vietti in the late 1950s, Alfredo Currado joined the operations of the winery and later was largely regarded as responsible for the resurrection of the Arneis grape. Until last year, the estate had been helmed by fifth-generation winemaker Luca Currado Vietti and his wife Elena, who have been the longtime champions of their family’s winery. In 2016, the estate was purchased by Krause Holdings, which had enabled Luca and Elena to continue their roles while simultaneously supporting significant growth, gaining sought-after site acquisitions for production such as Monvigliero in Barolo. Eugenio Palumbo, who has a long tenure with the winery in all operations, has assumed control as the winemaker of the estate today. Though the winery is in solid control in terms of the winemaking, the recent departure of Luca and Elena is certain to leave a spiritual hole impossible to fill any time soon.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The certified organic Vietti 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena shows a very good sense of balance with sweet and savory sides that transcend the bouquet. It starts off with redcurrant, a lightly floral note, rose hip and Amarena cherry. In fact, that sour cherry note continues to the palate, giving this wine a bright, red fruit quality that works with the darker side the Barbera grape. The vines for this wine were planted in 1932, with more planting to follow in 1935. Production is 18,305 bottles. Vietti has access to Nebbiolo from 10 MGA sites to make the various wines in its ample portfolio. We also have a new wine to celebrate—the 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà—that knocks it out of the ballpark with its inaugural release.
The 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is exceptional. Bright, red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. In recent times Vietti has focused more on freshness in their Barberas, and that is especially evident in La Crena—a wine that used to be very dark and heavy but is far from that today. Clean, mineral notes extend the vibrant finish. Give this a few years to develop the full range of its aromatic breadth. What a wine!