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SKU 891226
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The 2017 Barbera d’Asti La Crena opens to all the sunshine, exuberance and richness that come with wines from this hot vintage. Barbera is one of the few grapes in Italy’s repertoire of indigenous varieties that welcomes the scorching summer heat (“bring it on,” it beckons). It maintains its acidity and tart berry profile despite the soaring temperatures. This is more evident with fruit from the Asti area. This wine offers textual weight all backed by tangy freshness. La Crena is partially made with fruit from old vines, planted some 90 years ago. Exactly 13,250 bottles and 175 magnums were released.
For centuries now, the beautiful red grapes of the Barbera varietal have been grown in Italy, where they are prized for their unusual high acid content and low tannins, brought about by their thin skins. The Barbera grape varietal thrives in warmer climates, and has had some success overseas in the new world, where its strongly aromatic flavors of intense hedgerow fruits make it a favorite with wineries and wine drinkers looking for a grape which offers plenty of interesting characteristics. Interestingly, the differences between young and aged wines made from this varietal are quite significant, with younger bottles holding a plethora of berry flavors, including blueberry and raspberry notes, and oak aged wines made from the Barbera grape being much loved for their ability to become extremely complex and spicy, and picking up vanilla flavors from the wood they are barreled in.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Piedmont
Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.
Appellation
Asti
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
The 2017 Barbera d'Asti La Crena opens to all the sunshine, exuberance and richness that come with wines from this hot vintage. Barbera is one of the few grapes in Italy's repertoire of indigenous varieties that welcomes the scorching summer heat ("bring it on," it beckons). It maintains its acidity and tart berry profile despite the soaring temperatures. This is more evident with fruit from the Asti area. This wine offers textual weight all backed by tangy freshness. La Crena is partially made with fruit from old vines, planted some 90 years ago. Exactly 13,250 bottles and 175 magnums were released.
VM94pts
Vinous Media
The 2017 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is one of the most elegant versions of this wine I have ever tasted. Barbera loves the heat, and the 2017 certainly seems to have responded well to those conditions. La Crena can be a bit edgy in its youth, but the 2017 is wonderfully polished. Give it a few years in bottle to develop the full range of aromatics that make Barberas from this site so compelling. La Crena remains one of the hidden gems in the Vietti range.
JS93pts
James Suckling
This is a very impressive nose indeed for a Barbera, dripping in smoke, dried lavender, licorice, elderberries and herbal liqueur. Despite the exuberant initial impression, the palate is polished and suave, casting a web of neatly arranged tannins amidst plush dark fruit. Drink from 2023.
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
A ripe, concentrated version, this offers saturated flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum, with hints of chocolate and spice. Vibrant and juicy, offsetting the firm structure. Drink now through 2025. 1,083 cases made, 200 cases imported.
Winery Notes
Intense, deep ruby color. Pronounced concentrated aroma of ripe raspberry and red cherry fruit, combined with spicy and mineral notes and a touch of vanilla and toast. Full bodied on the palate, quite rich, with lush fruit that is well balanced with the acidity, good integration of oak and a long lingering aftertaste.
