2020 Cigliuti Barbaresco Vie Erte, Piedmont

Warmed cherries macerate in a slurry of allspice, clove, and dried herbs, while subtle hints of dried earth, black tea, and pressed roses all add to the depth of the nose of this wine. The palate bursts with wild raspberries and red currants, leading to a savory mid-palate that yearns for roasted meats, mushrooms, or game. Elegant and supple tannins provide a plushness that brings a smile. Drink now-2040.

93 points wineenthusiast.com

Cigliuti Barbaresco Vie Erte is a poised and expressive Nebbiolo from the steep, southeast-facing slopes of Neive in Barbaresco, Piedmont. The Cigliuti family, now led by sisters Claudia and Silvia, has quietly built a reputation for making precise, site-driven wines with traditional sensibility and a clear sense of place. Vie Erte translates to “steep paths,” a fitting name for this high-elevation site planted on limestone-rich soils that bring finesse, vibrancy and tension to the wine.

Sourced from younger vines in the family’s estate vineyards, this Barbaresco undergoes fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, followed by 26 months of ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. The winemaking is hands-off, focused on expressing the character of the vineyard with clarity and restraint.

The nose is fragrant and lifted, showing classic Nebbiolo notes of rose petal, wild cherry, blood orange, tar, and dried herbs. On the palate, it is medium bodied, energetic and finely textured, with red currant, cranberry, savoury spice and a long, mineral-laced finish. Tannins are chalky and firm but beautifully integrated, suggesting great potential for ageing.

Food pairing: ideal with tajarin and truffle, braised lamb, wild mushroom risotto, roast duck, or aged cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano and Castelmagno. Also excellent with game birds or veal dishes.

Cellar potential: drinking well after a decant in youth but best from 2026 onward, with potential to age gracefully over 12 to 15 years, gaining complexity and tertiary elegance.