Notify me
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”
Piero BenevelliTonight, I marveled at the amazing color of Massimo Benevelli’s Barbera—a vivid, regal, dark purple. His wines often have an opacity uncommon in Piedmont that hints at the unique nature of the vineyard’s marl and limestone slopes, as well as Massimo’s light touch in the cellar. This Barbera tastes as good as it looks, too, with a mouthful of dark, balsamic-drizzled, berry fruit. The bottling has a bit of Barolo-like structure and grip, but there’s nothing Barolo-like about the price, so stock up.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2022 |
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: | 15% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Dolcetto d’Alba “La Costa”
Italy | Piedmont
Bone-dry and tangy, with brambly black fruit and a bold, old-school Italian bite.
2023 Langhe Nebbiolo
Italy | Piedmont
Deceptively light on its feet, it finishes with an impressive tannin that begs for a hearty stew or your favorite cut of steak.
2020 Valli Ossolane Nebbiolo Superiore “Prünent Diecibrente”
Italy | Piedmont
The family’s top bottling of Prünent from a single vineyard is aged for an extra year in large cask and has another gear, and many corners and crevices to explore.
2017 Barolo Bussia “Cascina Dardi”
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino
Italy | Piedmont
Ripe, deep, and almost extravagant in its breadth of aroma and flavor, while a dense, tightly knit core of firm acidity and fine-grained tannins make up a rigid spine.
2023 Barbera d’Alba “Bricco del Pilone”
Italy | Piedmont
This Barbera tastes as good as it looks, too, with a mouthful of dark, balsamic-drizzled, berry fruit.
2020 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Italy | Piedmont
While charming now, Le Coste di Monforte will reward you for many years to come.
2019 Barolo “Mosconi”
Italy | Piedmont
One of the most prestigious vineyard sites in his village of Monforte d’Alba, if not all of Barolo.
2022 Dolcetto d‘Alba “La Costa” MAGNUM
Italy | Piedmont
Bone-dry and tangy, with brambly black fruit and a bold, old-school Italian bite.
2022 Monferrato Rosso
Italy | Piedmont
A quintessential house wine from Piemonte’s less-traveled side.
2023 Vino Rosso “Il Goccetto”
Italy | Piedmont
The old-school, vino rosso of our dreams—serve it chilled, perhaps in a glass pitcher, for full trattoria effect.
About The Producer
Benevelli Piero
About The Region
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.
More from Piedmont or Italy
Vermouth di Torino Bianco “Aperitiv dla Tradission”
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2023 Langhe Arneis
Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2020 Valli Ossolane Nebbiolo Superiore “Prünent Diecibrente”
Cantine Garrone Italy | Piedmont
2023 Moscato d’Asti “Sorì Gramella”
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2023 Vino Rosso “Il Goccetto”
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont
2020 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
Vermouth Extra Secco
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbera del Monferrato “Rosso Pietro”
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont
2017 Barolo Bussia “Cascina Dardi”
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Vigna Santa Caterina”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
2020 Barbaresco
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbaresco “Vicenziana” MAGNUM
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont
Vermouth di Torino Bianco “Aperitiv dla Tradission”
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2023 Langhe Arneis
Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2020 Valli Ossolane Nebbiolo Superiore “Prünent Diecibrente”
Cantine Garrone Italy | Piedmont
2023 Moscato d’Asti “Sorì Gramella”
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2023 Vino Rosso “Il Goccetto”
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont
2020 Barolo “Le Coste di Monforte”
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont
Vermouth Extra Secco
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbera del Monferrato “Rosso Pietro”
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont
2017 Barolo Bussia “Cascina Dardi”
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Italy | Piedmont
2022 Barbera d’Alba “Vigna Santa Caterina”
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont
2020 Barbaresco
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
2021 Barbaresco “Vicenziana” MAGNUM
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.