Cordero Montezemolo Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC Funtani

Barbera from Piedmont can be many things—high in acidity and light, or, as with Funtani , a serious red wine with depth and structure. Cordero di Montezemolo gets the maximum out of this grape variety.

The winery is located in La Morra, one of the best vineyard sites in the heart of the Albese region. The Cordero di Montezemolo family has cultivated their vineyards for generations and is primarily known for their Barolo—the Barbera Funtani demonstrates that this reputation extends to their DOC wines as well. Eighteen months of aging in small French oak barrels , followed by twelve months of bottle aging—a level of care that is anything but standard for this category.

In the glass: dark cherry, blackberry, and a hint of licorice, underpinned by vanilla and dark chocolate from the barrel. The lively acidity typical of Barbera is present but integrated—no harsh cut, but a round, full-bodied finish with noticeable yet well-integrated tannins. Wine Spectator awarded it 90 points, and James Suckling even gave the 2015 vintage 93 points.

Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed at 16–18 °C — with tagliatelle al ragù, grilled lamb rump, or a mature pecorino. Also an uncomplicated yet characterful companion on its own after a long evening.