Vietti - Barbera d'Alba Scarrone Vigne Vecchia Magnum 2015 (1.5L)
Vietti Description
The Vietti winery, managed by the family’s fifth generation, is based in the small medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the heart of Piedmont’s famous “Langhe” wine region. Here the Currado family carefully and patiently handcrafts lauded wines that are the result of a unique combination of sun and soil.
Although the family has made wine for two centuries, the first Vietti-labeled wines were produced by third-generation Mario, who transformed the family’s farm into a grape growing winery. In 1952 Alfredo Currado married Mario’s daughter Luciana and made a name for Vietti’s single-vineyard Barbera and Barolo. He also put the native Piedmont varietal Arneis on the wine map. In 1990 Alfredo and Luciana’s son Luca joined the family business as winemaker after working at California's Simi Winery, Opus One, Long Vineyards and Bordeaux's Mouton-Rothschild. His innovative winemaking utilizes a unique combination of the modern and traditional. Luca’s focus on terroir is reflected in his careful cultivation and organic farming of more than 25 single vineyards. Recently he eliminated equipment that measures acid and tannin levels in favor of a more intuitive, and wine-specific approach, and also stopped publishing tasting notes, preferring that wine critics and drinkers apply their own perceptions and preferences to his wines.
Not only is Scarrone Vigna Vecchia a single-vineyard wine - from the Scarrone vineyard close to the winery in Castiglione Falletto - but it's from only the oldest vines in that vineyard. Planted in 1918, these vines are most likely the oldest vines of Barbera planted in Barolo and they produce the richest, most complex grapes, which translates into a wine of exceptional depth. Over the years this wine has established its reputation as one of the finest Barberas made and has a cult following.
Aging: 18 months in big oak cask for the ageing. Bottled unfiltered.
Description: Ruby-red colour and full-bodied wine. Floral and fruity aroma of concentrated berries and tar with hints of blackberry. Refreshing acidity, rich and soft tannins, finesse, excellent balance, great complexity, integration and a long lingering finish.
Food Pairings: Hearty stews, seasoned pasta and poultry with rich sauces, game, roasted red meats and sharp cheeses
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
Dark and muscular, this red offers violet, blackberry, tar, molasses and earth notes. A wall of tannins seals off the finish for now, yet this remains long. Opens nicely with air, showing an almost Port-like intensity to the aromas. Drink now through 2024.
– BS
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The 2015 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone is a beautifully crafted and accessible wine made with fruit from a historic vineyard. Luca Currado opted not to make Barbera in the difficult 2014 vintage. This wine opens to immediate density and richness. It shows succulent aromas of blackberry, spice, tar and dark plum that build the wine's soaring aromatic profile. Earthy tones of forest floor and black truffle also appear. The mouthfeel is on the soft side (of the Barbera spectrum) and there is a playful point of sweetness as well.
– Monica Larner
Vinous Media
Vietti's flagship 2015 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone is endowed with tremendous textural richness and power. In 2015, the two Scarrone Barberas are not that different from each other. Perhaps time will allow those differences to be clearer. For now, the Vigna Vecchia possesses superb density, with generous blueberry jam, mocha, licorice, spice, new leather and French oak all pushed forward.
-- Antonio Galloni
