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2017 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”

Piero Benevelli
Discount Eligible $26.00
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I love talking with people about this wine because I get to tell them that it spends ten months in botti grandi—my favorite Italian wine-related phrase, which is almost impossible to pronounce without a cheesy Italian accent. Try it and you’ll see. Those few months in “big barrels” allow the wine to soften and breathe a bit without imparting a ton of tannin or oak. That is good, because this Barbera has plenty of grip on its own, and covering up this gorgeous fruit would be a crime. With big, ripe flavors, this bottling is perfect with a rich, meaty ragù or a deep-dish pizza.

Dustin Soiseth


Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2017
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Barbera
Appellation: Barbera d’Alba
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Producer: Benevelli Piero
Winemaker: Massimo Benevelli
Vineyard: 25 years, 1.5 ha
Soil: Grey marl and bluish limestone
Aging: Ages 6 months in old barrels, then 6 more months in large Slovenian oak barrels
Farming: Traditional
Alcohol: 14.5%

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About The Region

Piedmont

map of Piedmont

Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.

Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.

Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.

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Kermit Lynch

You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.