Paolo Conterno Barbera D'Asti 'Bricco' 2018

Producer: Paolo Conterno

Varietal: Barbera

Region: Asti, Piemonte, Italy

Paolo Conterno founded Casa della Ginestra in 1886, not long after the birth of Barolo as we know it. He was one of the very first growers in the Langhe to sell barrels of wine directly to consumers from the cellar, eschewing the well-established négociants of the time. He developed a loyal following of connoisseurs demanding his wines, and the independent estate has prospered over now five generations. Today Giorgio Conterno is at the helm of winery, producing classically styled expressions from the Ginestra cru.

Giorgio's 2018 Barbera is harvested from a single cru by the name of “Bricco Uffizio." Located in Penango, north of the town of Asti, the vineyard rests at 2570 meters above sea level atop a blend of calcareous clay and loam. The average vine age is 25 years, rendering concentrated and nuanced fruit.

After an extended period of aging for nearly a year in large oak casks, his Barbera is a natural autumnal option. The fresh profusion of berries on the palate marries it well with winter squash, cranberries, cured meats, and roasted duck.