Roagna Barbaresco Albesani 2016

Roagna makes this Barbaresco from the Albesani cru in Neive, one of the established vineyards of the Barbaresco zone in Piedmont. The site sits on calcareous marl, the pale clay and limestone soil that gives Nebbiolo its scent and its firm backbone, and the wide day-to-night temperature range of the Langhe hills gives slow, even ripening. The 2016 spent around five years in large old oak botti, a long slow maturation that lets air soften the tannin of Nebbiolo while keeping the wood in the background. The colour is a bright garnet. The nose is pronounced and complex, with blackberry, red cherry, rose, tar and a savoury note of dried herbs. The palate is mature, tannic and robust, with real depth of fruit, firm grip and a long earthy finish. This is a traditional Barbaresco, less austere than Barolo but no less serious, and it will reward further cellaring. Serve at 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It goes well with braised beef, game birds, mushroom risotto and aged hard cheese.