Dante Scaglione Barbera d'Asti 2011

Reviews

DS

"Dante Scaglione served as the head oenologist for Bruno Giacosa, one of Piemonte’s greatest producers, for more than 15 years. He resigned in 2008 to pursue independent projects including consulting for such esteemed wineries as Paitin, Sanmarco, Massolino,Capichera, and Cascina Roccalini among others. In 2011 he returned to Giacosa as the consulting oenologist, but only on the condition that he be allowed to make his own wine and continue consulting for others as well. Dante Scaglione’s Barbera d'Asti is his first independent project. The property is owned by his family, who comprise five generations of winemakers in Calosso county. Dante Scaglione’s vineyard is located in the Calosso commune in the Province of Asti between Langhe and Monferrato. The region is known both for the cultivation of the Barbera grape as well as the Moscato grape. Calosso was recently awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO for the historical importance of its vineyards and beauty of the landscape. The property reaches 350 meters in altitude and extends a total of three acres, two of which are planted with Barbera and Moscato vines facing south-south/east. The vines’ age varies, with some as young as 8 years and some as old as 40. The soil is clay and calcareous. Dante uses organic and sustainable practices in the vineyard, with absolutely no use of herbicide. After harvesting the grapes, the wine is fermented with its native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. It is aged for 12-18 months in a combination of 700 liter barrels and steel tanks. The wine is not filtered or fined before bottling, and does not undergo a cold stabilization . . . . Ruby red in color, the wine is medium bodied with black cherry and ripe red fuit on the nose. Similar flavors are found on the palate in addition to spice notes. The wine has high acidity . . ."