The 2011 Barbaresco Albesani is the wine that surprised me most among Cantina del Pino's new releases. It shows an exceptional level of focus and clarity with tight tannins at the back that keep it stitched together tightly. It shows an impressive level of unity and precision. The bouquet is slow to start, but once it does it delivers a steady stream of dark fruit, licorice, balsam herb and crushed mineral. The Albesani cru, with its thick clay soils, evidently had enough underground moisture to avoid heat stress on the vines during the hot summer.

Steely and toned, with a linear profile and gripping structure setting the pace for the cherry, eucalyptus, juniper, tobacco and mineral aromas and flavors. Still tight on the finish, this will need some time to integrate. Best from 2018 through 2028. 200 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbaresco Select to Add