2016 Barbera d'Alba
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Barbera d'Alba is all class. Sumptuous and beautifully layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste, even at this early stage. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, licorice, tobacco and sweet spice infuse a sumptuous, lush Barbera that hits all the right notes. This is a stellar showing from the Sandrone family.
Critic scores
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
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Although 2016 was a classic year for Nebbiolo, Luciano Sandrone tells me it was an awkward year for Barbera. That sudden heat you might expect during summer never materialized, and the seasons remained cool and fresh over the entire course of the growing cycle. The 2016 Barbera d'Alba is a slightly more subdued and undertone wine as a result. It shows less fruity exuberance compared to warm years, such as the delicious 2015. Dark fruit is enhanced here by crushed mineral and campfire ash. There is a pleasantly sweet note on the close that covers the grape's spicy acidity.
About the producer
Luciano Sandrone is a name synonymous with the highest standards of Barolo winemaking. Founded in 1978, this family-owned estate has become a modern icon, earning international acclaim for its meticulous wines and thoughtful, site-driven approach to Nebbiolo.