The 2005 Barbera d’Alba reveals a soft core of fruit framed by sweet toasted oak notes, with excellent balance and poise. Although it is a smaller-scaled and less complex Barbera than is typical from Sandrone, everything is in the right place in this highly enjoyable wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2010. Luciano Sandrone is one of the leading lights in Piedmont. No grower has managed to so brilliantly reconcile modern and traditional approaches in making wines that are soft, supple and approachable when young, but also capable of aging beautifully. I have been following Sandrone's 2003 Barolos since just after the harvest. Over the last few years they have developed remarkably, and today are among the most successful Barolos of the vintage, particularly for the softness of their tannins, something which few producers were able to achieve. Both the Cannubi Boschis and Le Vigne were perfectly fresh and intact when I re-tasted them after 48 hours had passed. "Clearly 2003 was a challenging vintage. We used less of the fruit from our warmer microclimates for Le Vigne, although obviously we didn't have that luxury with Cannubi Boschis. In a sense it is a return to the past in that multi-commune Barolos had an advantage over single-vineyard wines. We did everything we could to maintain as much freshness as possible in the wines. We fermented using lower temperatures and bottled earlier than normal." Importer: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NJ tel. (914) 769 3000; Lauber Imports, Somerville, NJ; tel. (908) 725 2100

Very rich and balanced, with lots of blackberry, milk chocolate and smoke character. Full and round, with a lovely texture. Drink now. 1,915 cases made, 640 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add

Sandrone has always been a reliable source for great Barolo, and he has put some of his magic into his Barberas. This is an attractive wine with a stunning nose of dark fruit, licorice and smoked meat. The fruit is ripe and very rich, with relatively low acidity. Finishes well, with a medium/long soft, layered finish. ——M.G.(12/22/2011)—— 90