The 2006 Barbera d’Alba Gallina flows onto the palate in grand style, with masses of ripe dark fruit, tar, licorice and smoke. This super-ripe, opulent wine reveals terrific balance and harmony. The French oak is better integrated in this vintage than has sometimes been the case. The wine remains quite primary, so readers looking for more advanced aromas and flavors will want to cellar this wine for at least a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016.
Giorgio Rivetti has another set of very solid wines on his hands with his 2005 Barbarescos. The wines have always shown terrific balance and are just a notch or two below his 2004s.
Importer: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021