Le Ginestre Barbera d’Alba 2018

From 40-year-old Barbera vines rooted in calcareous clay soils at 300 m in Monforte d’Alba, this wine reflects a warm, ripe vintage that brought full phenolic maturity and slightly elevated alcohol. Hand-harvested in early October, the grapes underwent a 12–14 day maceration and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel before nearly a year’s rest in French oak.

Now with 5 years of bottle age, the 2018 has evolved into a polished, expressive Barbera. The garnet color shows softening edges, while the nose layers dark cherry, cocoa, dried rose, and sweet tobacco with a hint of baking spice. The palate is broad and velvety, with ripe red and black fruit, supple tannins, and a lingering, savory-spiced finish. A generous, well-developed expression of Barbera d’Alba, drinking at its peak.