2024 Pico Maccario Lavignone Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont

Dark ruby purple colour with a bright core. Juicy cherry fruit, with a hint of peach, white pepper, slightly resinous undertone, inviting and fragrant. Light-footed and with clear, juicy fruit, dancing, juicy, a dream when slightly chilled!

93 points falstaff.com

Pico Maccario Lavignone Barbera d’Asti is a great example of how modern Barbera can deliver both generosity and polish without losing its Piedmont soul. Lavignone is a single vineyard in the heart of Asti, where rolling hills, limestone and clay soils give Barbera its trademark brightness while adding depth and structure. The climate here is warm enough to fully ripen the grape, yet cool nights help preserve freshness and energy.

Pico Maccario is a family run estate with a long history in Piedmont, but the current era has been defined by a clear focus on precision viticulture and contemporary winemaking. The estate is known for meticulous vineyard work and an understanding that Barbera thrives when yields are controlled and ripeness is carefully managed. Lavignone represents one of their most serious expressions, showing just how far the variety can be pushed when treated with respect.

In the glass, this Barbera is vibrant and expressive. Ripe cherry, plum and blackberry come first, followed by hints of violet, sweet spice and a subtle savoury edge. Barbera’s naturally high acidity gives the wine lift and drive, keeping the generous fruit in check. The palate is supple and flowing, with juicy acidity, fine tannins and a long, fresh finish that makes it both satisfying and dangerously drinkable.

This is a wine made for the table. It loves food and shines alongside tomato based dishes, pasta with ragù, roasted vegetables, grilled meats or hard Italian cheeses. While approachable in its youth, it also has the structure to age gracefully over the medium term, developing more savoury complexity with time.

Pico Maccario Lavignone Barbera d’Asti is a reminder that Barbera, in the right hands and from the right site, can be every bit as compelling as Piedmont’s more famous names.