2022 Albino Rocca Montersino Barbaresco, Piedmont

This wine shows aromas of citrus, blood oranges, rosemary, subtle sweet spices and cinnamon. Lightly framed tannins with an almost silky texture, crisp acidity and a tight yet precise, youthful finish.

93 points Aldo Fiordell jamessuckling.com

From the prized Montersino cru just outside the village of Barbaresco, Albino Rocca crafts Nebbiolo that feels both beautifully classical and quietly distinctive. The Rocca family has been rooted in these hills since the late nineteenth century, and today the estate is guided by the next generation with a strong focus on sustainable farming and precise vineyard expression. Montersino is known for producing Barbaresco of elegance and aromatic clarity, thanks to its calcareous marl soils and favourable exposure that allow Nebbiolo to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and structure.

A translucent garnet ruby hue glows in the glass with immediate charm. Aromas unfold with red cherry, wild strawberry and rose petal layered with notes of orange zest, sweet spice and a gentle savoury thread of dried herbs and earth. There is a lifted, refined perfume here that feels both inviting and quietly complex.

The palate is poised and finely structured, delivering vibrant cranberry and sour plum fruit framed by firm yet polished tannins and lively acidity. Subtle nuances of tobacco leaf, leather and crushed stone emerge through the mid palate, leading to a long, graceful finish that speaks clearly of place. This Barbaresco will reward patient cellaring over fifteen to twenty years as deeper layers of truffle, dried florals and exotic spice develop.

A magnificent partner for richly flavoured northern Italian dishes, it shines with slow braised beef, porcini and truffle pasta, roasted game birds or aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Albino Rocca Montersino Barbaresco captures the noble character of Piedmont Nebbiolo, perfect for autumn evenings, generous tables and those moments when tradition and atmosphere come together beautifully.