Teo Costa Barberra d'Alba San Mice 2021

Teo Costa "San Mice" Barbera d'Alba 2021 is a vibrant, characterful red from the rolling hills around the village of Castellinaldo in Piemonte. Crafted from 100% Barbera, it showcases the grape’s trademark freshness and purity of fruit, wrapped in a polished, modern style. This cuvée reflects over a century of Costa family stewardship in Castellinaldo, a village they’ve helped elevate as one of the key underzones for quality Barbera d'Alba.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, San Mice 2021 shows a deep ruby colour with youthful purple highlights, signaling both concentration and freshness. The nose opens with ripe red cherries, plum and wild berries, followed by notes of violets, sweet spices and a gentle hint of licorice and cocoa. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with Barbera’s signature bright acidity giving a lively, mouth-watering profile. Flavours of red and black cherry, raspberry and damson are layered with subtle spice, a touch of balsamic and a faint earthy undertone. Tannins are fine-grained and supple, making the wine approachable in its youth while still offering structure. The 2021 vintage should drink beautifully now and over the next 3–6 years, gaining a bit more softness and complexity with short- to medium-term cellaring.

Production
The Barbera grapes for San Mice are sourced from the undulating vineyards around Castellinaldo in the heart of Piemonte, where calcareous clay and sandy soils, combined with excellent sun exposure, give naturally ripe yet vibrant fruit. The Costa family, who have tended these hillsides for well over a century, focus on careful vineyard management and selective harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness and healthy grapes. After harvest, the fruit is gently crushed and fermented in temperature-controlled conditions to preserve Barbera’s aromatic intensity and freshness. The wine then matures in a combination of stainless steel and traditional vessels (and, depending on the vintage, a measured use of oak) to harmonise its natural acidity and enhance texture, without overshadowing the pure fruit character.

Food & Serving
San Mice Barbera d'Alba 2021 is a highly versatile food wine, ideal with classic Piedmontese dishes such as tajarin pasta with ragù, vitello tonnato, agnolotti del plin, and brasato. It also pairs beautifully with pizza, charcuterie, grilled sausages, roast chicken, tomato-based pastas, and medium-aged cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help the aromas open up, especially in its first few years, but it is not strictly necessary for enjoyment.

Producer
The Costa family has been cultivating vineyards around the picturesque village of Castellinaldo in Piemonte for well over 100 years, passing down a deep respect for the land and its native grapes through multiple generations. Under the leadership of Roberto Costa, who serves as president of the local growers’ association "I Vignaioli di Castellinaldo," the estate has been instrumental in promoting Castellinaldo as a distinctive and valuable subzone for Barbera d'Alba. Teo Costa is renowned in the region for combining tradition with a thoughtful, quality-driven approach, producing wines that faithfully reflect their origins while gaining recognition both within Italy and abroad for their authenticity and sense of place.

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