2018 Piero Busso Gallina Barbaresco, Piedmont

Piero Busso Gallina Barbaresco is a poised and finely etched expression of one of Barbaresco’s most historic and sought-after crus. The Gallina vineyard, located in Neive, is known for producing Barbaresco that marries elegance with depth, and in the hands of Piero Busso and his son Pierguido, this site becomes a study in terroir purity and graceful structure.

The Busso family has been working organically for decades, and their Gallina bottling is a reflection of low-intervention winemaking paired with deep respect for the land. Vines in the Gallina cru sit on calcareous clay soils with good sun exposure, giving wines that are aromatic, textural and capable of long ageing. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in large Slavonian oak casks that preserve freshness while allowing the wine to evolve slowly and gently.

In the glass, the wine is fragrant with rose petals, red cherry, blood orange, and hints of anise and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied but tightly structured, with silky tannins, bright acidity, and a refined mineral backbone. There is real detail and length here, and while approachable with time in the glass, it will improve beautifully over the next 10 to 15 years.

Pair it with truffle risotto, game birds, or slow-cooked veal with polenta. This is a serious yet graceful Barbaresco that speaks quietly but leaves a lasting impression.