Cappellano
Gabutti Barbera d'Alba
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Selected from the HSWM shelf to accompany the bevy of wines from Piemonte already at the table. I’ve been a huge fan of Cappellano’s Barbera d'Alba in the past and this certainly impressed, as I expected it would. It worked really well with the hangar steak but it was holding something back. We took the remaining half of the bottle home and the real fireworks show came on Day 2 paired with some homemade Bolognese that I made with some ground elk. Undergrowth, dark fruit, figs, dark tilled earth, cumin, spiced meat and what fantastic acid!! Tannins seem to be medium. Sediment appears to be medium plus…lol…there’s a lot. Yes, the price is steep for a "modest" Barbera but when you consider the overall quality and satisfaction, this absolutely delivers and absolutely worth it.
Selected from the HSWM shelf to accompany the bevy of wines from Piemonte already at the table. I’ve been a huge fan of Cappellano’s Barbera d'Alba in the past and this certainly impressed, as I expected it would. It worked really well with the hangar steak but it was holding something back. We took the remaining half of the bottle home and the real fireworks show came on Day 2 paired with some homemade Bolognese that I made with some ground elk. Undergrowth, dark fruit, figs, dark tilled earth, cumin, spiced meat and what fantastic acid!! Tannins seem to be medium. Sediment appears to be medium plus…lol…there’s a lot. Yes, the price is steep for a "modest" Barbera but when you consider the overall quality and satisfaction, this absolutely delivers and absolutely worth it.
Apr 13th, 2021Every time I’ve walked into the cellar, this bottle has been starring at me and since I was making pasta alla puttanesca, I figured it was as good a time as any. Definitely on the high end for Barbera d’Alba but I’ll be damned if it ain’t worth every penny. Decanted for about an hour prior to dinner. This was extraordinary on the nose. Dark fruit dominated with baking spice, in particular, there was a significant aroma of nutmeg. The other obvious bit on the nose was, and you’ll have to bear with me here, engine shop floor. Like, the smell of walking into an old mechanic’s garage. As weird as that sounds, it was awesome. On the palate it’s big with dark fruit and spices. Tangy finish. Firm but fair tannin. Balanced. So delicious on its own or with food. Drink now with an hour decant or hold. This will be really good for years to come.
Every time I’ve walked into the cellar, this bottle has been starring at me and since I was making pasta alla puttanesca, I figured it was as good a time as any. Definitely on the high end for Barbera d’Alba but I’ll be damned if it ain’t worth every penny. Decanted for about an hour prior to dinner. This was extraordinary on the nose. Dark fruit dominated with baking spice, in particular, there was a significant aroma of nutmeg. The other obvious bit on the nose was, and you’ll have to bear with me here, engine shop floor. Like, the smell of walking into an old mechanic’s garage. As weird as that sounds, it was awesome. On the palate it’s big with dark fruit and spices. Tangy finish. Firm but fair tannin. Balanced. So delicious on its own or with food. Drink now with an hour decant or hold. This will be really good for years to come.
Really rich bouquet, develops from fruit to earth. Good freshness remains, delightful.
Really rich bouquet, develops from fruit to earth. Good freshness remains, delightful.
Sep 9th, 2016
Barbera that reaches beyond...
Barbera that reaches beyond...
Jun 15th, 2014
Still young, but just love the purity to it!
Still young, but just love the purity to it!
May 16th, 2013
I love drinking this as much as I love saying it. Gabutti!!
I love drinking this as much as I love saying it. Gabutti!!
Jul 27th, 2020So earthy, with herbal notes and soft fruit
So earthy, with herbal notes and soft fruit
May 9th, 2020