Cantine Sant'Agata Altea Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2015
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James
Suckling
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James Suckling
Some very fragrant strawberry aromas swirling and vibrant here. They lead to a palate with seductive and smoothly textured tannins.
A family-owned wine estate, established in 1916, was founded when Stefano Cavallero built his farmhouse and wine-cellar in the traditional style. The winery has since been managed by Franco Cavallero and his brother, Claudio (oenologist since 1990).
Cantine Sant’Agata’s vineyards insist upon an ecologically sensitive approach to pest control, which will ensure low yield per hectare and non toxic ambient impact. The wines are produced in very limited areas which stand out as some of the most important in the Piedmont region today. The winery’s product range includes the famous and popular Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Grignolino, along with others which are more unique and sophisticated such as Ruché. Sant’Agata also produces excellent Barbera d’Asti, Grignolino d’Asti, and two types of Monferrato Rosso.
Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
Recognized as the source of the best Barbera in all of Italy, Asti is a province (as well as major city) in Piedmont, consisting of a gentle, rolling landscape with vineyards, farmland and forests alternating throughout.
Barbera d’Asti can be made in an array of styles from relatively straightforward, fruity and ready for consumption early, to the more concentrated, oak aged version with an ability to cellar impressively for 10-15 years and beyond. Some of the very best sites for Barbera in Asti are concentrated in the subzone of Nizza Monferrato. Other red varieties grown here include Freisa, Grignolino and Dolcetto, which can be bottled varietally or blended into Barbera.
Historically consumers commonly associated the Asti region with Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti, both playful, aromatic, sparkling wines made from the Muscat grape. Asti Spumante is less sweet, fully fizzy and more alcoholic (yet still clocking in at only around 9% alcohol) while Moscato d’Asti is sweeter, gently sparkling (“frizzante”) and closer to 5 or 6% alcohol. Each is produced in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh and fruity flavors of the grape, often including peach, apricot, lychee and rose petal. Asti is also the spot for the pink-hued Brachetto d'Acqui, a slightly sparkling wine ready to charm with its raspberry and rose flavors and aromas.