Barbera d'Asti DOC La Crena 2018 (0.75l)

La Crena is an 8-hectare south-facing vineyard with approximately 90-year-old vines growing on limestone marl. Harvested by hand, fermented on the skins in steel for approximately two weeks. Then aged in used barriques and large oak barrels for 18 months, bottled unfiltered. Red and black fruit burst from the glass. A very intense and fresh nose, bursting with sour cherry, but also some plum and black cherry, along with ethereal herbal spice, a touch of anise, and bitter almond. On the palate, it's juicy and fruity, but also has immediate, gripping tannins. Very present, crisp tannins with subtle bitter notes, but already well integrated; after five years, this wine is gradually reaching a beautiful drinking maturity. Add to that this dense, dark, and luscious fruit core paired with almond notes – incredibly intense! It has a lot of power and structure, is totally energetic and lively, and impressively demonstrates how great Barbera can become when it falls into the right hands. Real rocket stuff!