2023 Elio Sandri - Barbera d'Alba Superiore (750ml)
From one of Monforte d'Alba's most quietly revered family estates, this Barbera d'Alba Superiore is a rare and compelling wine that punches well above its appellation. The Sandri family has been growing grapes on the steep slopes of the Disa hill since the late 1800s, with vineyard plantings dating as far back as the 1400s. Elio uses only organic treatments in the vineyard, does not plow between vine rows to preserve a balanced ecosystem, and hand-picks his clusters at night to protect freshness.
In a bold move, Sandri removed Nebbiolo vines to plant 1,200 tightly spaced Barbera vines, making this arguably the only Barbera grown in the Barolo zone, on iron-rich, nutrient-poor soils near the top of a steep, cool, slower-ripening hillside site. The wine is aged for eight months in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by at least six more months in bottle before release. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in ancient concrete tanks.
The 2023 is a deep, layered wine, with dark cherry, plum, pomegranate, and sweet spice melding together into something both immediately appealing and genuinely substantial. Natural acidity is perfectly controlled, the palate juicy and dynamic, with a clean fruit focus and a straight, mouth-watering finish.
Pairs beautifully with:
- Braised beef, osso buco, and rich pasta dishes
- Pizza and hearty Italian antipasti
- Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and hard mountain cheeses