Cantine Valpane Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Valpane

Deep ruby color with traces of garnet at the rim. It took a while to open up but what a lovely nose. Deep, ripe black cherry fruit with balsamic spice, violets, worn leather, cured meats, dried herbs and nice lift from VA. Full bodied and powerful but with a brilliant acidity and resolving tannins gives the wine a smooth mouthfeel. Great intensity to the flavors that has a solid core of dark fruits with layers of savory spice, herbs, florals …

Russk. A touch off.

Deep ruby core. Shy nose, showing hints of bright cherry fruit. Dry, medium bodied, with balanced acidity and a slightly bitter bite on the finish. A young, brooding adolescent of a wine, that needs more time to develop. While not terribly interesting now, this seems to have both the structure and the stuffing to go the distance. Patience should be rewarded. Revisit after 2017.