Ca’ del Baio’s Barbaresco Vallegrande 2020 emerges from the prestigious hills of Piemonte and is a classic example of Barbaresco’s refined character. While Nebbiolo is almost always the grape of choice in Barbaresco, style and structure may vary subtly between sites and producers. With the Vallegrande cuvée, expect a wine that is both graceful and structured, marked by a transparent ruby colour and delicate aromas. The 2020 vintage, shaped by a generally favourable growing season, tends to lend finesse, with fresh red fruit aromatics, hints of rose and violet, and subtle nuances of sweet spices and earthiness. The palate typically offers taut tannins and vibrant acidity, hallmarks of traditional Barbaresco, underpinned by mineral notes and a lingering, savoury finish. The wine is matured in large casks, which tends to preserve fruit purity and terroir transparency rather than masking them with overt oak influence.
Barbaresco hails from the Langhe region in Piemonte, a land of rolling landscapes, ancient vineyards, and misty mornings. The climate here is continental, with significant day-night temperature variations that help Nebbiolo ripen gradually, developing complexity and elegance. Soils are primarily limestone and clay, lending these wines their classic combination of perfume, structure, and energy. The area’s long history with Nebbiolo, combined with a tradition of careful vineyard management and ageing, underpins Barbaresco’s reputation for poised, multifaceted reds—often compared to Barolo, but typically more ethereal and approachable in their youth.
For food pairings, Barbaresco truly shines alongside rich, slow-cooked dishes that complement its tannic backbone. Think of classic Piemontese fare such as brasato al Barolo (wine-braised beef), wild mushroom risotto, or agnolotti del plin with butter and sage. Truffled dishes, mature hard cheeses, and roasted game birds also make excellent partners, allowing the wine’s aromatic complexity to reveal its layers with each bite.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this Barbaresco at around 16–18°C, ideally after one to two hours of decanting to soften the tannins and allow the nose to fully unfurl. This is a wine well-suited to careful ageing, yet with a bit of patience in the glass, it already promises a deeply rewarding experience.
