Michele Chiarlo’s La Court vineyard lies atop a gently rolling ridge.

This Michele Chiarlo La Court Nizza Barbera d’Asti comes from the LaCourt Estate in the commune of Castelnuovo Calcea (within Nizza, within Asti). Just under 40 miles from Turin, it’s a 20-acre hilltop vineyard at about 800 feet. The soil is sandy and derived from limestone.

Nizza refers to a prized subzone of Barbera d’Asti DOCG. Nizza was granted DOCG status itself in 2014. The vineyards there, including LaCourt, tend to have southern facings to optimize ripening. The vines of LaCourt, first harvested in 1996, are reaching an age which delivers depth and complexity. This amplified by tight spacing and limiting yield.

Winemakers Stefano Chiarlo and Gianni Meleni ferment this Barbera in large (55hl) oak tanks. It then ages 12-months in a mix of small and large French oak barrels and matures further in bottle for 15 months. The result is a structured, well-fruited Barbera which is at its best three or more years from vintage.

Michele Chiarlo is in its fourth generation of making Piemonte wine from Barbera, Nebbiolo, Cortese and Moscato. It’s still very much a family operation. It’s lead wines are this La Court Nizza Barbera and its Cerequio Estate Barolos.

2013 Michele Chiarlo La Court Nizza Barbera d’Asti Superiore Piemonte, Italy 91+ 14.0% 750ml $45

This is a modern Barbera d’Asti, rich and fruit-forward with aromas of blackberry jam, spice and dry bay leaf. The palate has medium+ body with matching fine-grained texture and a core of delicious black cherry. The length is generous but reined in by tannins. Bottle age, decanting or a meal of braised meat will make for an even longer, more sensuous finish. Enjoy over the next five years.

Copyright Fred Swan 2016. Photo courtesy of Michele Chiarlo. All rights reserved.