Renato Ratti, Barbera D’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) 2011

By contrast to Ratti’s 2011 Barbera from Alba, which benefits from the delicacy and sophistication imparted by excellent limestone-laced clay soils, this Asti bottling is built for power from a south-facing site (an exposure that is almost always reserved for Nebbiolo in the districts surrounding Alba).  A year’s worth of time in oak has layered gutsy wood tannins atop the grape tannins, but the ripe, flavorful fruit powers right through them, providing a lingering sweetness that makes for a long, impressive finish.