The Barale Fratelli Barbera d'Alba Superiore "Castle" is a beautifully traditional Barbera, characterized by its rustic charm, offering a friendly red wine experience with pronounced aromas of stewed tomatoes and freshly cracked black pepper. The Barale winery, one of Langhe's oldest estates, has a rich heritage dating back to its founding by Carlo Barale in 1870, and today, it's skillfully managed by Eleonora and Gloria Barale.
In a departure from the prevailing trend of using oak barriques, the Barales uphold the tradition of aging their wine in stainless steel, allowing the pure expression of the fruit to shine through. The Barbera vines for this wine, planted in 1991, are organically farmed, embodying the Barales' commitment to quality and tradition.
The 2021 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Castlè is packed with super-ripe red cherry, plum and French oak. I would prefer to drink this juicy, supple Barbera in its youth, while the fruit remains primary. This is an especially ripe, racy style.