Viberti La Gemella Barbera d'Alba 2022 (750ml)

 

Ranked #42 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2024

 

Expressive floral tones of wild rose, fresh berries, and crushed mineral.  The power and intensity of the bouquet is especially attractive and bold.  The wine’s dark concentration within layers of blueberry and earth is perfectly balanced by those ethereal aromas.

 

Serve with pasta primavera, pizza margherita, and grilled or roasted white meats.

 

Rated 91 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Vanilla and resin accents frame the core flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and plum in this firmly structured red.  Flashes of violet and spices emerge as this fades gracefully on the long aftertaste.

 

Rated 91 Points by James Suckling

 

Pretty intense nose with crushed cherries, flowers and stones.  Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with fresh tannins and a succulent finish drenched with sour cherries.

 

Viberti La Gemella Barbera d'Alba 2022

 

Meaning “twin,” La Gemella was created to honor the winemaker’s mother, Maria, who is a twin herself and a lover of Barbera.  She is the driving spirit behind the Viberti Family.

 

Varietal:  100% Barbera

 

Appellation:  Piedmont Italy

 

Tasting Notes

 

Expressive floral tones of wild rose, fresh berries, and crushed mineral.  The power and intensity of the bouquet is especially attractive and bold.  The wine’s dark concentration within layers of blueberry and earth is perfectly balanced by those ethereal aromas.  A vibrancy of acid, silky tannins, and lengthy finish contribute to the outstanding quality.

 

Aged for 8 months in French Oak Vats followed by 2 additional months in bottle. 

 

Will offer ideal drinking over the next 2-3 years.

 

Serve with pasta primavera, pizza margherita, and grilled or roasted white meats.

 

Alcohol:  14.5%

 

Vineyards

 

Region:  Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

 

Size:  5 hectares

 

Training Method:  Guyot

 

Planting Density:  6,000 Vines/hectare

 

Soil Composition:  Clay

 

Elevation:  4,000 Meters

 

Exposure:  Southwestern

 

Winemaking

 

Harvest:  Hand-harvested in late September through early October.

 

Fermentation:  After stalk removal and pressing, contact with the skins takes place in the roto-fermenter for 8-10 days.  Malolactic fermentation then takes place in French oak vats at 20° C.  The wine is transferred back into stainless steel tanks for 3-4 months.

 

Aging:  8 Months in French Oak Vats followed by 2 additional months in bottle.

 

 

Viberti

 

Viberti, located in the village of Barolo in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, was founded in the early 20th Century by Antonio Viberti, an innkeeper and restaurateur.  Wine was produced from the estate vineyards exclusively for the patrons of the family  restaurant, Trattoria al Buon Padre.

 

In 1967, at a time when Barolo wines were gaining international notoriety, Antonio’s son, Giovanni, joined the family business and realized the potential of the estate vineyards to produce superior quality, world-class Barolo.  After selling wines to restaurant patrons, who came from far and wide to enjoy the local cuisine, the reputation of Viberti Barolo spread leading to demand beyond Piedmont.

 

One hundred years after the creation of the Viberti winery, the family’s connection to their beloved land of Barolo and its fine red wines remains unbroken as the 3rd generation of the Viberti family, GianLuca and Claudio, joined their father at the winery after completing their studies at the prestigious Scuola Enologica in nearby Alba.  Today, under the direction of Claudio Viberti, the winery produces varietally accurate, elegantly-structured wines with fresh fruit aromas, bold tannins, and vibrant acidity that are approachable upon release, yet reward extensive cellaring.

 

Viberti’s 20 hectares of estate-owned vineyards are planted to Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Chardonnay.  Located predominantly on the western facing slopes of the village of Barolo in the DOCG appellation, altitudes range from 400-500 meters above see level.  The Estate includes three single vineyards: Bricco delle Viole, San Pietro, and La Volta, select parcels of which are designated to the production of Barolo Riservas in only the finest vintages.  Strict pruning of the bunches occurs twice annually in an effort to reduce the yield per hectare, allowing only the finest fruit to fully ripen.

 

In recent year, Viberti acquired three additional prestigious vineyards in Barolo: Terlo, Albarella, and Ravera. Currently, their fruit serves as a welcome addition to the Viberti wines, but will ultimately produce Grand Crus as the vineyards are cultivated to fully adhere to the strict viticultural standards of the winery over the coming years.

 

Viberti uses a combination of state-of-the-art equipment and traditional winemaking techniques.  The winery has employed the use of roto-fermenters – horizontal stainless steel tanks which consistently churn the juice and skins throughout vinification – eliminating the need for antiquated methods such as punch-downs and pump-overs.  This modern technology has decreased fermentation periods, but the wine is still extensively aged in traditional large vertical barrels called tini made from steamed oak, not toasted.  By minimizing the influence of oak, maximum fruit expression is achieved.

 

 

Ranked #42 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2024

 

Expressive floral tones of wild rose, fresh berries, and crushed mineral.  The power and intensity of the bouquet is especially attractive and bold.  The wine’s dark concentration within layers of blueberry and earth is perfectly balanced by those ethereal aromas.

 

Serve with pasta primavera, pizza margherita, and grilled or roasted white meats.

 

Rated 91 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Vanilla and resin accents frame the core flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and plum in this firmly structured red.  Flashes of violet and spices emerge as this fades gracefully on the long aftertaste.