2022 Barbera d'Alba, Superiore, G.D. Vajra, Piedmont, Italy

Aldo Vajra has called this a “Barbera that behaves like a Barolo”. It has a wonderful balance between lively energy and an indulgent richness, with flavours of wild blackberry, violets, plum, balsamic vinegar and menthol. Grapes are sourced from a selection of the estate’s treasured vines, grown on limestone soils that result in a tiny, but high-quality, crop. This was aged in a combination of Slavonian oak and stainless steel before bottling.