Castello di Neive Santo Stefano Barbera d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy 2021

The Barbera grapes for this wine come from the famed Santo Stefano vineyard which initially caused critics to believe Italo Stupino was crazy as this vineyard is typically reserved for the hallowed Nebbiolo. This 100% Barbera proved them wrong as it expresses the depth for which Santo Stefano is known while still retaining Barbera's signature fruit. The grapes for this wine are pressed and then allowed to mature for 9 months in large wooden vats to allow the wines to mellow and develop their complexity.