Barbera d'Alba Stefano Occhetti 2023

A precious Barbera d'Alba, this one by Stefano Occhetti, which comes to life from the parcel rooted in an important terroir and linked to its flagship Nebbiolo. The refined interpretation allows a surprising elegance to emerge on the palate, without denying the varietal the chance to express all its innate verve of juicy freshness: an idea of Barbera decidedly far from the uninspiring descriptions of rough rusticity of yesteryear.
Stefano Occhetti makes his Barbera d'Alba by vinifying in purity the flagship variety of the Piedmont region, working the grapes grown with great care on the hilly territory of Vezza d'Alba. The additional geographical mention Sanche stretches like a long tongue of land in the heart of the Roero Rosso appellation and presents the typical appearance of this area designed by gullies: deep fissures carved into the crumbly sandy soils, originated in ancient times by the course of the Tanaro river, before the river diverted to a new route. The considerable slopes climb between 290 and 310 metres above sea level, offering a full eastern exposure and presenting soils rich in ancestral marine fossils. Around the last week of September, manual harvesting is carried out, gathering the grapes in small 20-kilo crates. After the pressing operations, the grapes are racked into French oak vats, where spontaneous fermentation is conducted solely by the work of indigenous yeasts. Maceration of the skins lasts 12 or 14 days, using the traditional floating cap system, and malolactic fermentation also takes place in wood. The ageing period takes 7 months, conducted in used French oak barrels and barriques.
Stefano Occhetti's Barbera d'Alba is announced by a vivid ruby red colour, dense and luminous. The fruity impact aromas have ample intensity, varying between red and dark ripe blackberries, cherries and raspberries. Consistency on the palate is perfect, with juicy hints from which the peculiar and remarkable freshness emerges spontaneously: excellent harmony and interesting persistence to be paired with pasta with meat sauce or with platters of local products.