2012 Barbera d'Alba

(from Ravera in Barolo; aged for seven months in large barrels): Bright red-ruby. Spicy black cherry and licorice on the nose; purer than the 2012 dolcetto, which Marta Rinaldi described as coming from "the ugliest grapes we had," owing in large part to two hail events in the weeks before the harvest. Juicy, lively, spicy wine with an herbal edge and a faint rusticity. Finishes with good tactile persistence. This would make a perfect accompaniment to pizza.