Cigliuti Serraboella Barbera d'Alba 2009
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Parker
Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep layers of rich, resonant fruit emerge from the 2009 Barbera d'Alba Serraboella. There is plenty of 2009 vintage fleshiness, along with an additional dimension of volume from the aging in neutral French oak barrels, but it is the purity of the fruit that comes through most clearly in this highly engaging, utterly delicious Barbera.
Other Vintages
2021- Vinous
The Fratelli Cigliuti winery is situated on the Serraboella hill, 350 metres above sea level, overlooking the village of Neive, in the Langhe region of Piemonte, N.W. Italy. Neive is one of the three villages responsible for producing Barbaresco from the Nebbiolo grape. The territory of Langhe is characterised by hills, steep slopes and a predominantly calcareous clay soil. The climate is mainly continental, with important differences in microclimate depending on the site. This terroir brings minerality, complexity, personality and longevity to the wines.
The estate is made up of 5 hectares on Serraboella, and 1.5 hectares on Bricco di Neive. Serraboella, rich in calcareous clay, is planted with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto; incorporating the single vineyard 'Campass'. The sandier Bricco di Neive is planted exclusively with Nebbiolo. The Cigliuti family tend the vineyards themselves, by hand, and in a way which respects the environment. Yields are kept low in order to harvest the finest fruit.
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.
An historic village situated right in between the famous regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, Alba is also the name for the larger wine region surrounding the village.
In a sense, “Alba” is a catch-all phrase, and includes the declassified Nebbiolo wines made in Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the Nebbiolo grown just outside of these regions’ borders. In fact, Nebbiolo d’Alba is a softer, less tannic and more fruit-forward wine ready to drink within just a couple years of bottling. It is a great place to start if you want to begin to understand the grape. Likewise, the even broader category of Langhe Nebbiolo offers approachable and value-driven options as well.
Barbera, planted alongside Nebbiolo in the surrounding hills, and referred to as Barbera d’Alba, takes on a more powerful and concentrated personality compared to its counterparts in Asti.
Dolcetto is ubiquitous here and, known as Dolcetto d'Alba, can be found casually served alongside antipasti on the tables of Alba’s cafes and wine bars.
Not surprisingly, given its location, Alba is recognized as one of Italy’s premiere culinary destinations and is the home of the fall truffle fair, which attracts visitors from worldwide every year.