2008 La Spinetta Barbaresco “Vigneto Starderi”, Piedmont, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

Sourced from old vines in the Starderi cru within the Neive commune of Barbaresco, this wine is 100% Nebbiolo, grown on calcareous soils at 270 meters above sea level. The vineyards southwestern exposure ensures full ripening, while cooler nighttime temperatures preserve aromatic lift and acidity.

The 2008 vintage was a classic year in Piedmont, marked by a cooler growing season that favored structure and precision over opulence. After hand-harvesting, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks with indigenous yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation and aging for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrelsa signature of La Spinetta’s style. The wine is then bottled unfiltered and aged further in bottle before release.

The Vigneto Starderi is known for being the most muscular and brooding of La Spinettas single-vineyard Barbarescos, and the 2008 is no exception: it offers intensity and grip, but with enough freshness and aromatic lift to ensure elegance. With over 15 years of age, this wine is entering a beautiful drinking window, though it will continue to evolve gracefully for another decade or more.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

La Spinetta, founded by the Rivetti family, has become one of Piedmonts most influential and recognizable modern wineries. Originally known for groundbreaking Barbera and Moscato, La Spinetta turned heads in the 1990s with their powerful, modern-style Barbaresco wines from single vineyards like Gallina, Valeirano, and Starderi.

Under the direction of Giorgio Rivetti, the winery emphasizes low yields, old vines, organic practices, and bold winemakingincluding the use of 100% new oak and minimal intervention. While stylistically contemporary, La Spinettas wines remain rooted in their terroir, showcasing the individuality of each vineyard with depth, polish, and aging potential.

The distinctive labelfeaturing a lion drawn by German artist Drerreflects the strength and nobility of the Vigneto Starderi cuve, a wine that consistently ranks among Barbarescos finest.