Pio Cesare Barbera D’Alba 2023

Pio Cesare is a long-established Alba house drawing on family vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, Treiso, Sinio and Diano d'Alba, plots spread across the Barolo, Barbaresco and Langhe zones. Barbera is the workhorse grape of Piedmont, naturally low in tannin but very high in acidity, which makes it bright and especially flexible at the table. The Langhe sits on calcareous marl soils and enjoys a continental climate with warm days and cool nights, a swing that keeps the fruit fresh while letting it ripen fully. The grapes go through a long skin-contact maceration of twenty to twenty-five days to draw out colour and gentle phenolics, then ferment in stainless steel to preserve the fruit. The wine then spends twelve months in barrel, which rounds the texture and adds a touch of spice without masking the variety. The colour is a vibrant ruby red. The nose shows cherry, plum and red currant with liquorice, pepper and a light vanilla note from the wood. The palate is medium bodied and juicy, the soft tannin carried by Barbera's signature acidity into a clean finish. Serve at 16 degrees. Good with tomato-based pasta, roast pork and grilled meats.