2022 The Other Wine Co. Barbera
Adelaide Hills
Our second vintage of The Other Wine Co Barbera. Although a new variety for the label, it's a familar friend for our winemaker, Matt Large, who has spent many vintages in Piedmont learning the art of Italian grapes from the likes of Luigi Oddero. Since taking up the post at The Other Wine Co., he's been hunting for local opportunites, and was thrilled to get his hands on this parcel of Barbera.
Whole berries went into an open fermenter with about 10% whole bunches. Basket pressed to seasoned 500L puncheons and blended in a concrete vat before bottling. New to the portfolio. Not your average tutti frutti Barbera here, in saying that fruit is optimal. Black Bing cherries, Acai and dried blueberries. Red toffee apple wrapped in black licorice. Allspice, nigella seed and dried Ancho chillis. Sage leaf, nettle and dried fig. Laden with dark, deep earthy spice, it's an aromatic wonder. Puffs of lifted acidity and fine powdery tannins. This has the friendly Barbera style but with so much alluring perfume. A great addition and at such a great price tag. Drink now with rice, bean and mole sauce.
Shanteh Wale, The Wine Pilot, March 2024, 91 Points.
Deep, dark, brooding colour with a strong purple tint, the bouquet super-ripe and seems to be teetering towards overripe, but the palate is fresh and bright with energy and life, the late palate revealing some almond-meal nuances, the tannins firm and persuasive but not overdone, and the acidity is balanced and doesn't overstep, as can sometimes happen with this grape.
Huon Hooke, The Real Review, January 2024, 92 Points
Sourced from Longview, a pioneering site for the variety. Pulpy and floral, suggesting plenty of whole berries in the mix. Lilac, purple pastille, juniper, lavender and blueberry with a gentle corset of oak, reductive tension and punchy acidity driving versatility and modest length. Fun drinking.
Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion, 88 Points