2006 Michele Chiarlo – Barbera d’ Asti Superiore “Nizza” La Court

I recently enjoyed this wonderful Barbera from Michele Chiarlo,  with Paul during the recent Lakers/Rockets playoff game 5 blowout. Michele Chiarlo acquired the historic Tenuta Aluffi estate in 1995, that has long been considered to be the most exceptional estate for producing Barbera vines in the appellation of Asti. The Tenuta Aluffi estate in 55 acres lying on two superb hillsides at an elevation of about 800 feet above sea level, and is divided into two vineyards of “La Court” and “Il Castello.” The vineyards lie on soils extremely rich in magnesium, calcium, manganese, and iron. The vines average 22 to 25 years of age and yield small quantities of fruit.

Wine Details:

Vintage: 2006

Winery: Michele Chiarlo

Area of Provenance: Castelnuovo Calcea – Tenuta Aluffi

Varietal: 100% Barbera

Tasting: Beautiful dark plum, and cherry fruit on the nose with tobacco, leather, bacon fat, smoke, tar, black pepper, wild game, lavender, violets, toasted oak, and a very nice earthy minerality. The wine is velvety smooth with great balance, firm tannins, with a very pleasant, long finish. This wine is age-worthy and will improve with cellar time.

Rating: 91 – JH, and 90 – PC