A highly extracted, intense Barbera, this wine brims with ripe, jammy flavors of black plum and wild cherry and aromas of violets, spice and new oak wrapped in a velvety texture underscored by firm tannins.

A wine of superb structure and density, with a rich, silky elegance, intense varietal character and a lengthy finish.

Wine maker notes

Named for the family who owned it for over two centuries before bequeathing it to a local religious order, Aluffi is considered to be the most exceptional estate for production of Barbera vines in the appellation. A very extensive estate by the region's standards, which are characterized by small vineyard holdings, its 55 acres lie on two superb hillsides at an elevation of roughly 800 feet above sea level, and are divided into the two farms of "La Court" and "Il Castello." Predominantly of southern and western exposure, the vineyards lie on soils extremely rich in magnesium, which lends finesse, and with a significant presence of calcium, manganese and iron. The vines average 22 to 25 years of age, and yield small quantities of fruit, harvested late to achieve optimum ripeness. A further selection is made among vineyard plots to be included in the finished wine. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks at 30º C to enhance extract; the temperature is then lowered to 22º C, and the wine is later transferred to new oak barriques to complete the alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. Oak contact lasts thereafter for a minimum of twelve months.

Technical notes

GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Barbera MAXIMUM YIELD: 45 quintals per hectare, corresponding to 32 hl/ha MINIMUM ALCOHOL: 13.7% TOTAL ACIDITY: 6.2% pH: 3.45