Attilio Ghisolfi, Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) 2016

 In the Piedmont region of northern Italy, the stars of Barolo and Barbaresco cast a long shadow.  So much so that those two icons of Italian wine overshadow the region’s other superb red wine, Barbera, the Rodney Dangerfield of Piedmont.  For the record, Barbera can be splendid on the same scale, though the price hardly reflects that.  The 2016 Maggiora Barbera from Attilio Ghisolfi is a great example.  This vintage delivers richness and depth, ripe dark fruits and a serious touch of wood spice.  It’s a sensational wine.  Will anyone notice?  I certainly hope so.