Piero Busso Barbaresco Gallina 2018

Piero Busso Barbaresco Gallina comes from the Neive cru that Bruno Giacosa made famous, opposite the Albesani slope.

Piero Busso farms a handful of small parcels around Neive, in the eastern half of Barbaresco, and is known for site-driven Nebbiolo made along traditional lines. He bought his 1.3 hectares in Gallina in 1999, arguably the best-known MGA in Neive and made famous by Bruno Giacosa. The vines sit at 240 metres on a low, twisting ridge opposite Albesani, south-west facing towards the river, in a windy microclimate despite the modest altitude; the soil is limestone-rich Sant'Agata marl with sandy and calcareous layers. From 2015 the oldest vines, planted in the 1950s, have been kept apart for a separate Riserva, so this cuvée draws on plantings between 25 and 50 years old. Ageing runs to two years in Slavonian oak casks, as for the other crus, with an extra year in bottle before release. It is the most openly hedonistic wine in the range, with plush fruit, very fine tannins and a sappy close.

The most immediately generous of the Barbarescos here, drinking well now and good for a decade. Serve at 16-18°C with braised beef cheek, agnolotti del plin or aged Castelmagno.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.