2012 Cigliuti Barbaresco Serraboella, Piedmont, Italy

100% Nebbiolo from the Serraboella cru in Neive. The site sits on calcareous soils at 350m above sea level, with a southwestern exposure. The vines are aged between 25 and 55 years old and yields are about 4 to 4.5 tonnes per hectare. Fermentation and maceration takes place in steel vats at controlled temperatures. The wine is matured for 26 months in Slavonian oak casks and mid-sized French oak casks.

The 2012 Barbaresco Serraboella is deep, fleshy and pliant, with lovely concentration and plenty of nuance, all in the mid-weight style of the year. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, mint and dark spices all meld into the supple finish. Readers will need to be patient, though, as the 2012s need time to fully come together. The 2012 was aged 70% in cask and 30% in tonneau. This is everything one could want from a Barbaresco from this part of the zone. 93+ points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media December 2015