2021 La Ca' Növa Barbaresco, Piedmont

The 2021 Barbaresco is exquisite. Bright and delineated, with tons of energy, the 2021 bristles with saline-infused energy. Red berry fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper lend tons of energy to this deceptively mid-weight, nervy young Barbaresco. Vineyard sites are Ovello, Cole and Loreto.  

94 points AG vinous.com

The La Ca’ Növa Barbaresco is a traditional yet finely detailed expression of Nebbiolo from one of the most historic villages in Piedmont. The Rocca family, who run La Ca’ Növa, have long been dedicated to producing authentic, terroir-driven Barbaresco, working with prime vineyards in Montestefano and Montefico – sites that consistently yield some of the appellation’s most distinctive and age-worthy wines.

The soils in these crus are composed of calcareous marl with veins of clay and sand, which give Nebbiolo both structure and aromatic lift. La Ca’ Növa works with minimal intervention: hand-harvested grapes, long macerations to extract colour and tannin, and ageing in large Slavonian oak casks rather than barriques. This traditional approach preserves the purity of fruit and highlights the savoury, mineral edge that defines classic Barbaresco.

In the glass, the wine shows a radiant garnet hue. The bouquet is perfumed and complex, with notes of rose petal, violet and dried herbs interwoven with red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. Subtle hints of tar, licorice and spice emerge with air. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, elegant and tightly structured, with red fruits framed by fine tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long, savoury and mineral, promising years of graceful evolution.

Food pairings highlight its aromatic lift and structure: braised beef cheeks, osso buco, roast lamb with rosemary, or vegetarian dishes such as wild mushroom risotto, truffle tagliatelle or roasted root vegetables. This Barbaresco has excellent ageing potential, capable of developing over 12 to 15 years into a wine of haunting complexity, with layers of dried roses, tobacco and forest floor.