The Serradenari Estate
Legend has it that the Serradenari farmhouse was purchased by the current owner’s ancestors as a sort of Bachelor pad— a place where great-great-grandpa and a couple of his mates could quietly provide romantic diversions to some of the local lasses. My guess is that if the wine was as good then as it is now, then the idea of an afternoon “guiding” a fine young lady down the slippery slope of flesh-bound weakness in a secluded farmhouse would not have been such a tough sell.
So while I picked up three bots, once Ms. R and I opened this, we quickly came to the realization that we should have taken at least six. I have to admit that I love it when her eyes light up on the first sniff of a bottle of a new wine we haven’t tried before. All I need now is a secluded farmhouse…
Map of Piemonte (Piedmont) and Alba
Needless to say my wine guy was really happy to hear from me…again While we are not likely to run out of wine in this house anytime soon, an extra bottle or two of this particular one wouldn’t hurt to have around. Most of the Barberas we have had are from Asti. This one from just next door in Alba took us by surprise. Deeper in sentiment than many a Barbera, it just seems to have a stronger more self-assured sense of self than others we have tried. With almost 6 years of age, this wine is really just starting to come into its own.
Serradenari Barbera d’Alba 2006 ($18). A perfume of earth and sweet spice. I nearly stroked out from the black olive coupling with bursting red fruit berries in my mouth. Finely structured tannins from the oak treatment and that characteristic Barbera acidity. A rich and long finish. I don’t need to say more. In fact, I can’t say more, I’ve got too much of a party going on in my boca. Rated ***
sybaritesauvage 
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