Villa Sparina Rivalta Superiore 2016

Villa Sparina Rivalta Superiore 2016 is a richly structured red from the rolling hills of Piedmont, crafted to showcase Barbera’s depth and elegance. This is a Barbera Superiore with serious intent: concentrated, complex and built to age, yet already beautifully expressive in the glass. Named “Rivalta” after the estate’s historic cru, it reflects Villa Sparina’s commitment to turning a classic everyday grape into a truly fine wine.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Rivalta Superiore 2016 shows a deep ruby core with garnet highlights at the rim, hinting at its evolution in bottle. The nose opens with ripe black cherry and dark plum, followed by notes of violet, sweet spice, licorice, cocoa and a subtle smokiness from careful oak aging. On the palate, this Barbera is full-bodied yet poised, with Barbera’s signature vibrant acidity framing layers of dark fruit, wild berries and a touch of dried herbs. Fine-grained tannins give structure without harshness, while flavors of espresso, vanilla, and a savory, almost balsamic edge add complexity on the long, persistent finish. The 2016 vintage has the freshness and backbone for further cellaring; well-stored bottles can easily develop additional tertiary nuances—leather, underbrush, and more refined spice—over the next 6–10 years.

Production
Rivalta Superiore is sourced from estate vineyards in the hills of Piedmont, where Barbera thrives on calcareous-clay and marl soils that naturally limit yields and intensify flavor. The region’s continental climate, with warm days and cool nights, promotes slow, even ripening and preserves acidity—key to Barbera’s energy and longevity. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure only the healthiest clusters reach the cellar, followed by careful sorting. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks to capture aromatic purity and fruit definition, with extended maceration on the skins to build color and structure. The wine is then matured in oak (often a mix of barrique and larger barrels) to integrate tannins and add spice and texture, before further bottle aging prior to release as “Superiore.”

Food & Serving
Villa Sparina Rivalta Superiore 2016 is a natural match for rich, savory dishes—think braised beef, osso buco, roast lamb, or slow-cooked ragù over fresh pasta. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, mushroom risotto, grilled sausages, and truffle-inflected dishes typical of Piedmont. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both structure and aromatics. Decanting for 45–60 minutes is recommended to allow the wine to unfurl its layers of dark fruit, spice and earth, especially if opened in its youth or shortly after cellaring.

Producer
Villa Sparina is an esteemed estate in Piedmont, best known for elevating local varieties through meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking. Founded in the 20th century and gaining prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, the winery became a reference point for quality Gavi and structured, characterful Barberas from the Monferrato area. Its distinctive bottle shape and consistent critical acclaim have helped put the estate firmly on the map, both in Italy and abroad. By combining traditional Piedmontese know-how with modern precision in the cellar, Villa Sparina has earned a reputation for producing wines that are both authentically regional and refined enough to stand among the top wines of the area.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.