Cascina Iuli 'Umberta' Barbera 2022

Piedmont, Italy
Vino Rosso

Iuli’s vineyards are located in the far north of the Monferrato, in the village of Montaldo di Cerrina. Once a vibrant little town of almost 500, today there are fewer than 100. With the Alps as a backdrop on a clear day, it is set among the last band of dramatic hills and valleys before descending into the rich flatlands of the Po river valley. Fabrizio's grandfather planted vines here in the 1930's after returning home from a factory job in Lombardy. 

Today, Fabrizio and his wife Summer are the only winegrowers in town. His first commercial vintage was 1998, with his Barbera Rossore. Aside from Barbera, the grapes planted in the vineyards include Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio’s desire to instigate and protect biodiversity. 

100% Barbera from south-facing vineyards planted between 1940 and 1999, fermented in concrete with 3 weeks of maceration. Fresh, unoaked Barbera with a juicy fruit profile and lush richness. This pops with bright cherry, raspberry, plum and liquorice. There's a light note of violets in the mix too. Smooth, easy-drinking and harmonious - a classic for this grape.