Pulled from a small parcel of forty year old vines planted on steep slopes in the Starderi cru, this spent two months on skins before being pressed off to old botti for a couple of years’ rest. Unfined, unfiltered, with moderate amounts of SO2 added just before bottling. The soils in Starderi are a little softer, more clay, less intense marl; the site is also less exposed than elsewhere in the region. As a result this is a wine that’s expressive in its youth, with refreshing acidity and gentler tannins. Don’t let its aromatic openness fool you, though: it has a long life ahead. This year’s offering is a nuanced expression of the grape where every little detail is in place. 2021 saw higher highs and lower lows, with a longer growing season and strong diurnal shifts during the final phase of ripening that are one of the signatures of this great Barbaresco vintage; the wines are aromatic, deep and structured. In other words, classic Barbaresco. Aromas of dried citrus, chestnuts, and sweet pipe tobacco begin to emerge. The palate is firm but ultimately inviting, retaining its precision and presence while displaying classic Italian nuances of black cherry, iron, orange peel, and a lovely amaro finish. The fruit starts red and stays red, but transitions from taut fruit to more supple and sappy richness. Elegant but expressive, it balances classicism and seduction, with a level of purity that is beguiling. This is gorgeous but still nascent; a few more years under its belt will reveal so much more. Drink 2026 - 2040