Barbera d'Asti Superiore 'Bionzo' La Spinetta 2021
The Barbera d'Asti Bionzo by La Spinetta is a Piedmontese red wine of great personality and character, born from vines over 60 years old and aged for 16 to 18 months in barriques. In the olfactory examination, intense notes of violets, berries, cherries, and cocoa stand out. The taste is full, decisive, and flavorful, with good freshness and long persistence.
The Barbera "Bionzo" combines richness of fruit and a sip of pure velvet, thanks to the modern interpretation given by the Rivetti family. More than 40 years of history, where constant research and qualitative growth have led La Spinetta to become a reference point for a well-recognizable production style. Space for the talented local grape varieties, of course, with an alternation of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Moscato and a small planting of Chardonnay, which here in Langa has proven to create excellent wines. An tireless family, that of the Rivetti, which has gradually acquired plots in the most vocated Piedmontese municipalities, namely those of Barolo and Barbaresco, until reaching the current size of 100 hectares. Maximum attention to the use of chemicals in the vineyard, and no filtration or clarification, complete the picture of what is today one of the most interesting wine realities in the Langhe area.
The wine "Bionzo" comes from pure Barbera grapes, from vines aged between 62 and 72 years planted in the municipality of Costigliole d'Asti. The age of the vines suggests the production philosophy of the Rivetti, which prioritizes the qualitative aspect of the fruit over the productive one, and the enhancement of old vines. In the vineyard, no use of pesticides or herbicides for sustainable agriculture. The harvest takes place between the end of September and the beginning of October, with a careful selection of the grapes. The alcoholic fermentation lasts 6-7 days in temperature-controlled rotofermenters, while the malolactic fermentation takes place in small French oak barrels. The aging occurs for 18 months in entirely new barriques, with a medium toasting. After an additional resting period of 6 months in steel, the liquid is bottled and allowed to rest for 6 months in glass.
The red "Bionzo" reveals itself with a dark ruby color of great intensity. The nose is definitely dark-hued, and pays homage to dark chocolate, blueberry jam, and cinnamon. Sweetness thus, refreshed by balsamic veins and a clear reference to violets. A tasting that impresses with density of matter, richness of fruit, and finely-grained, elongated tannins. Tasty and