2008 Brovia Barbera d'Alba Sori del Drago The 2008 Barbera d’Alba Sori’ del Drago is not your usual Barbara d'Alba. This wine is bursting with perfumed red raspberries and spice notes. The mouthfeel is silky, and the wine is refined and subtle without giving up it's power, and has great length and persistence. World class wine.
Dark and brooding in its youth, it matures into a regal wine of exceptional depth.
The grapes for this formidable cru are from the Garblet Sué vineyard (also referred to as the Fiasco vineyard) in Castiglione Falletto on south/southeast slopes at an altitude of 250 meters with soil that is predominantly limestone. This is a dynamic wine filled with surprises. The Garblet Sué is a fraternal twin to the more stern and imposing Villero with the classic restrained power of the best of the wines from this classic village in the heart of the Barolo zone. The site is 0.7 hectare with vines planted in 1970 and 1979. It distinguishes itself by its enormous energy, a positive and heady wine with a gorgeous interplay of black fruits and minerals. The lively presence on the palate reminds one of the remarkable ability of Nebbiolo to retain its vibrant acidity while building its sugar reserves.
Some may argue the case but, personally, if we had to pick one of these cru Barolo as the king of kings, our vote would go the Villero. The package is complete: strong yet elegant, powerful but dignified, above all pure and balanced. No matter the vintage, this special site in Castiglione Falletto yields a consistently marvelous wine that will age with consummate grace. Dark and brooding in its youth, it matures into a regal wine of exceptional depth. For us it is the quintessential Barolo. This 1.5 hectare vineyard faces southwest at an altitude of 340 meters. The vines were planted in 1961. The Villero is aged in large French oak botti for at least two years after a cuvaison of three weeks or more.
Violet-ruby in the glass, with intense arromas of pulpy cherry flesh, this wine has accompanying flavors of blackberries, almonds, and cloves that mingle well with sturdy tannins and the acidity expected of any self-respecting Italian red. Brovia does not exploit his Dolcetto to make additional cash as his Barolos age sit in barrel before release; the family has always considered Dolcetto an early-drinking wine worthy of attention and take care with its élevage. Briefly decant to release its potential and pair with sausages blended with Italian herbal seasonings, white pizza with truffle oil, or a mushroom sauté.