Winemaker Notes
Barbaresco Tre Stelle is the result of the best exposure of this geographical mention, 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Great character, undoubted finesse and femininity together for a long-lived wine of surprising pleasure even when young thanks to the dense, snappy and silky tannic texture.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is attractive, but also a touch lean and austere, possibly the result of its relatively recent bottling. Sweet dried cherry, leather, spice, licorice and pipe tobacco emerge, but only with great reluctance. Even so, the 2019 has enough depth to drink well for another decade plus. The ethereal, gracious style is quite appealing, but I would prefer to see more depth on the mid-palate.
Italian Red Wine
While picturesque hillsides, endless coastlines and a favorable climate serve to unify the grape-growing culture of this country. The apparent never-ending world of indigenous grape varieties gives Italy an unexampled charm and allure for its red wines. From the steep inclines of the Alps to the sprawling, warm, coastal plains of the south, red grape varieties thrive throughout.
The kings of Italy, wines like Barolo and Barbaresco (made of Nebbiolo), and Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino (made of Sangiovese), as well as Amarone (mostly Corvina), play center stage for the most lauded, collected and cellar-worthy reds. Less popular but entirely deserving of as much praise are the wines made from Aglianico, Sagrantino and Nerello Mascalese.
For those accustomed to drinking New World reds, the south is the place to start. Grapes like Negroamaro or Primitvo from Puglia and Nero d’Avola from Sicily make soft, ammicable, full-bodied, fruit-dominant wines. Curious palates should be on the lookout for Cannonau (Grenache), Lagrein, Teroldego, Ruché, Freisa, Cesanese, Schiopettino, Rossese and Gaglioppo to name a few.