2020 Cigliuti Barbera d'Alba Vigna Serraboella, Piedmont

The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Serraboella is bright, effusive and full of character. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit, spice, rose petal and pipe tobacco makes a strong first impression. Ripe, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. The Serraboella is such a delicious wine. It spent 18 months in cask and neutral oak.

93 points vinous.com

Cigliuti Barbera d’Alba Vigna Serraboella is a profound and polished expression of Barbera from one of Piedmont’s most exceptional crus. Grown on the steep, chalky slopes of Serraboella in Neive — the same revered vineyard that produces Cigliuti’s iconic Barbaresco — this single-vineyard Barbera showcases the variety at its most serious: structured, vibrant and deeply flavoured.

The vines are over 35 years old and sit at high altitude on calcareous clay soils, lending the wine its tension and drive. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with native yeasts, followed by maturation in a mix of large Slavonian oak casks and older French tonneaux for about 18 months. This ageing regimen brings polish and savoury depth while preserving the wine’s vivid fruit and natural acidity.

The nose opens with a rush of black cherry, wild berry, plum skin and violet, layered with cocoa, anise, and a touch of woodsmoke. On the palate, it is full bodied and energetic, with juicy dark fruit wrapped in firm, chalky tannins and a mouthwatering core of acidity. There’s an earthy undertone and a hint of spice that lingers through a long, fresh, mineral-edged finish.

Food pairing: perfect with braised lamb, mushroom and truffle risotto, pork shoulder with herbs, tagliatelle with ragù, or hard cheeses like aged pecorino and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Cellar potential: already impressive in youth but built to age. Expect graceful development over 8 to 12 years, with increasing savoury complexity and refined texture.