Cascina Fontana barbera d’Alba 2023

Cascina Fontana is a grower in the Langhe of Piedmont, the home of Nebbiolo, where Barbera is the everyday red of the hills. Barbera ripens its sugars readily but holds very high natural acidity and carries low tannin, which gives this wine its bright, juicy character. The calcareous marl soils of the Alba zone and the cool nights of the hillside vineyards keep that acidity sharp and lend a savoury, mineral lift. Farming is sustainable. The wine is aged in concrete rather than wood. The neutral, airtight cement preserves the fresh fruit and vivid colour and adds no oak flavour or tannin, so the grape speaks plainly. It pours a deep, vivid ruby. The nose is fresh black cherry and plum with red currant, dried herbs and cracked pepper. The palate is medium bodied and lively, the high acidity carrying the dark fruit to a clean, savoury finish with little grip. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled. The acidity makes it a natural with tomato-based dishes and cured pork.