Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barbaresco DOCG – Albesani MGA, Neive
Variety: Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2021
The Wine
Cantina del Pino is based at the summit of Ovello, where the Vacca family has grown Nebbiolo since the 1920s. Renato Vacca established the estate’s own label in 1997 after studying at Alba’s Royal Enological School and working for five years at Produttori del Barbaresco. Since Renato’s death in 2020, Franca Miretti has continued the estate’s exacting, traditionally minded approach.
Albesani lies in the commune of Neive and produces a markedly different expression from the estate’s home vineyards in Ovello. Its warm southern exposure encourages complete ripening, while the Sant’Agata Fossil Marls contain a higher proportion of clay. The resulting wine is typically deeper in colour, broader through the middle and more generous in fruit, without losing the mineral tension that defines great Barbaresco.
The 2021 Albesani was among the wines fermented in upright wooden vats rather than stainless steel. It spent around 60 days or more on skins, with malolactic fermentation taking place in cask during maceration, before approximately 24 months in large oak. The long, gentle extraction builds structure without relying on new-oak flavour.
Compared with Cantina del Pino’s Ovello, Albesani is richer and more immediately expansive. Raspberry, plum, violet, juniper and earthy mineral notes sit within a broad but finely proportioned frame, with the warmth of the site balanced by the clarity and firm tannins of the 2021 vintage.
Cellared Says
Albesani is the cru to choose for depth and generosity. It carries more flesh than Ovello, but the wine never becomes heavy; the clay-derived structure and long traditional maceration keep everything composed. A serious Barbaresco that offers richness without sacrificing detail. The 2021 releases just keep delivering, excellent wines and highly recommended.
Reviews
“Distinctive for its balsamic notes of green olive and juniper, with flavours of earth, plum, blackberry and iron.”
95 Points – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
“It offers more depth and a gentle silkiness to the fruit that works seamlessly with the tannins and acidity.”
95 Points – Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
“An especially floral bouquet with dried rose petal and a savoury touch of redwood or cedar.”
94+ Points – Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Region: Piedmont
Sub Region: Barbaresco DOCG – Albesani MGA, Neive
Variety: Nebbiolo
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2021
The Wine
Cantina del Pino is based at the summit of Ovello, where the Vacca family has grown Nebbiolo since the 1920s. Renato Vacca established the estate’s own label in 1997 after studying at Alba’s Royal Enological School and working for five years at Produttori del Barbaresco. Since Renato’s death in 2020, Franca Miretti has continued the estate’s exacting, traditionally minded approach.
Albesani lies in the commune of Neive and produces a markedly different expression from the estate’s home vineyards in Ovello. Its warm southern exposure encourages complete ripening, while the Sant’Agata Fossil Marls contain a higher proportion of clay. The resulting wine is typically deeper in colour, broader through the middle and more generous in fruit, without losing the mineral tension that defines great Barbaresco.
The 2021 Albesani was among the wines fermented in upright wooden vats rather than stainless steel. It spent around 60 days or more on skins, with malolactic fermentation taking place in cask during maceration, before approximately 24 months in large oak. The long, gentle extraction builds structure without relying on new-oak flavour.
Compared with Cantina del Pino’s Ovello, Albesani is richer and more immediately expansive. Raspberry, plum, violet, juniper and earthy mineral notes sit within a broad but finely proportioned frame, with the warmth of the site balanced by the clarity and firm tannins of the 2021 vintage.
Cellared Says
Albesani is the cru to choose for depth and generosity. It carries more flesh than Ovello, but the wine never becomes heavy; the clay-derived structure and long traditional maceration keep everything composed. A serious Barbaresco that offers richness without sacrificing detail. The 2021 releases just keep delivering, excellent wines and highly recommended.
Reviews
“Distinctive for its balsamic notes of green olive and juniper, with flavours of earth, plum, blackberry and iron.”
95 Points – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
“It offers more depth and a gentle silkiness to the fruit that works seamlessly with the tannins and acidity.”
95 Points – Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
“An especially floral bouquet with dried rose petal and a savoury touch of redwood or cedar.”
94+ Points – Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
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