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The wines of Spinetta, Piedmont, Italy

Via Annunziata, 14054 Castagnole Lanze, Asti, Italy
Tel: +39 0141 877396
UK agent: Enotria (marketing@enotria.co.uk)

La Spinetta is a modern Italian superstar winery, making forward, intense wines with the aid of rotary fermenters, new oak and consultant winemaker Stephane Mazzetta. Three brothers, Bruno, Carlo and Giorgio Rivetti are the driving force behind this much talked about operation. They make three Barbarescos, named Gallina, Valeirano and Starderi, of which I tried just one here.

While I didn’t care much for the Chardonnay, La Spinetta’s reds are fantastically alluring. They share a forward, modern style that’s hard to resist, even if you have rather traditionalist tendencies.

La Spinetta Piemonte Chardonnay ‘Lidia’ 2000
Creamy, spicy, toasty edge to the nose which displays quite classy oaking. The oak is a bit overdone on the palate though which shows nice crisp fruit with a vanilla edge. Very good+ 85/100

La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti  Superiore 2001
Opaque purple/black colour. Spicy, liquoricey black fruit nose is vivid and intense. The palate is intensely rich with forward, ripe fruit and a spicy edge. A massive wine but one that’s in balance. Very good/excellent 93/100

La Spinetta Sezzana Rosso Toscana 2001
Ripe, spicy liquoricey fruit on the nose. The palate shows a huge concentration of sweet fruit with a nice spicy structure. Delicious, and like the Barbera it’s still in balance despite the intensity. Very good/excellent 92/100

La Spinetta Barbaresco ‘Vursù Vigneto Valeirano’ 2000
Slightly pale colour. Taut, herby spicy nose with some sweetness to it. The palate is rich and intense, displaying a massive concentration of tight-knit herbal fruit with a spicy edge. Bold and intense. Very good/excellent 94/100

UK availability: Robersons, Ballantynes, SWIG, Wimbledon Wine Cellar, Nonna’s, Gauntley, Czerwick Fine Wine and Cheeses.

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