2014 Barbera d'Alba Santo Stefano di Perno

The 2014 Barbera d'Alba Santo Stefano di Perno does not soar to the same heights as past vintages. The bouquet shows a distant hint of volatile acidity that could worsen with time. It's no secret this was one of the most difficult vintages these past ten years in the Langhe. Results vary widely across the territory. This one-hectare vineyard seems to have suffered more and the wine is a bit thinner and more reticent as a result. Barbera is normally a very expressive grape, but its voice is muted here.