The Elio Grasso 2020 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Martina shows hot-vintage intensity with dark cherry, blackberry and spice. Barbera has a medium-long vegetative cycle, and it handles the warm seasons very well, although Gianluca Grasso tells me that the upcoming 2022 vintage is especially well-suited to this grape. This wine sees 20 to 25 days of submerged cap and finishes with 18 months in oak. The grape has naturally high acidity, "but climate change helps mitigate that issue," says Gianluca.

Powerful and concentrated, featuring blackberry, plum, fruitcake and iron flavors. Exuberant and resonant on the long, iron- and spice-tinged finish. Think salumi and cheeses. Drink now through 2028. 1,300 cases made, 50 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add