2006 Barbaresco Albesani, Cantina del Pino, Piedmont
Renato Vacca has just started with a hectare of vines in Albesani, just south of San Stefano, and what a wine he has made from it. Albesani is at lower altitude and slightly warmer than Ovello, thus it is richer and less mineral than the Ovello. This has darker fruits on the nose and, although the fruit is deep and concentrated, this is tight and bound up with lovely, supple tannins. Nevertheless, this is expressive and an absolute winner.