2023 Montaribaldi Frere Barbera d'Alba

2023 Montaribaldi Frere Barbera d'Alba is a vibrant, fruit‑driven expression of Barbera from the hills around Treiso in Piemonte. Sourced from the Frere vineyard at 300 meters above sea level, it captures Barbera’s natural freshness and energy in a polished, approachable style. This is the youngest and most playful Barbera in the Montaribaldi range, yet it still reflects the long winemaking tradition of the Langhe, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Frere shows a fresh, bright ruby-red colour, gleaming with youthful intensity. The nose is immediately inviting: red cherries and ripe raspberries lead the way, layered with notes of plum, a touch of violet and gentle hints of sweet spice such as cinnamon and clove. On the palate, this is a medium‑bodied Barbera with a smooth, supple texture and juicy, red‑fruited core. The naturally high acidity of the grape is beautifully balanced, giving the wine lift and freshness without feeling sharp or aggressive. Flavours of cherry, redcurrant and a touch of blackberry are joined by subtle spice and a faint floral echo. Tannins are soft and rounded, making the wine very drinkable even in its youth, and the finish is surprisingly long, with lingering fruit and a clean, mouthwatering aftertaste. Enjoy it over the next 3–5 years for its vivid fruit and energy, though it has enough structure to hold a bit longer in bottle.

Production
The Barbera d'Alba Frere comes from the Frere vineyard in the commune of Treiso, in the heart of the Langhe hills of Piemonte. Planted at around 300 meters altitude with a west-facing exposure, the vines benefit from warm afternoon sun and cooler evenings, which help preserve acidity and aromatic precision. The Barbera grapes are harvested between the end of September and the first week of October, when they have reached optimal ripeness. In the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and gently pressed before undergoing maceration and alcoholic fermentation for about ten days at 27–29 °C, extracting colour and aroma while keeping tannins refined. After fermentation, the wine remains on its fine lees for at least two months at 20–22 °C, allowing malolactic fermentation to take place and adding texture and softness. It then rests for 3–4 months at a lower temperature to encourage natural clarification, before being bottled in the summer following harvest and given a short period of bottle aging in Montaribaldi’s cellars prior to release. The focus is on preserving purity of fruit, freshness and a clear expression of terroir.

Food & Serving
This lively Barbera is wonderfully versatile at the table and shines with classic Italian cuisine. Pair it with tomato‑based pasta dishes, pizza with cured meats, lasagne, grilled sausages, or rich poultry dishes like roast chicken or duck. It also works beautifully with antipasti platters, cured meats, semi‑hard cheeses and mushroom‑based risotti. Serve at 16–18 °C to highlight its freshness and bright fruit. Decanting is not essential for this young, fruit‑forward style, but a brief 15–20 minutes in a carafe or simply opening the bottle ahead of time will help the aromas open up nicely.

Producer
Montaribaldi is a family‑run estate based in the village of Barbaresco, in the heart of the Langhe hills in Piemonte. Their vineyards sit among some of the region’s most prestigious parcels, including those of the renowned Angelo Gaja, an enviable neighbourhood that speaks to the quality of their terroir. Although wine has been made on these lands for centuries, Montaribaldi in its current form dates from 1994, when brothers Luciano and Roberto Taliano, together with winemaker Carlo Arnulfo, set out to craft characterful, terroir‑driven wines offering exceptional value. Today the family produces many of Piemonte’s benchmark appellations—Barbaresco DOCG, Barolo DOCG, Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barbera d'Asti DOCG and Roero Arneis, among others—always from local varieties and with a clear, recognizable Montaribaldi signature. Their philosophy centres on sustainable viticulture and what they call “vineyard wines”: bottles that faithfully reflect their specific sites in Langhe and Monferrato and stand out for authenticity, regional typicity and an impressive quality‑to‑price ratio.

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