Barbaresco 'Gallina'

Score

94

"The 2016 Barbaresco Gallina Vürsù is a streamlined wine that brings less to the table in terms of richness but more in terms of intensity and structure. The tannins here are well integrated, and there are some light notes of spice and tobacco, but this beautiful Nebbiolo still has a way to go. This vintage should look forward to aging gracefully. The wine ages in oak for 22 months. Production is ample with 10,500 bottles made."

Score

95

"Supremely elegant and light on its feet, La Spinetta's 2016 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is simply fabulous. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spice and a touch of French oak add nuance to a core of sweet red/purplish berry fruit. Wonderfully supple and racy, the Gallina captures every bit of the potential 2016 had to offer. This is such a gorgeous wine. I can't remember tasting a Gallina here with this much diversity."

Score

93

"Ripeness, or over-ripness to be more specific, is a problem across the board with the Barbaresco wines from this vintage. The team at La Spinetta has expertly faced the problem. The 2015 Barbaresco Gallina Vürsù does indeed show a dark, more exuberant quality of fruit, but the wine never loses sight of its inner elegance and grace. Instead, the fruit's maturity and sweetness is played out in terms of the thick layering and density that is very apparent to the palate."

Score

96

"The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is absolutely gorgeous. Vivid and nuanced on the palate, the 2015 is fresh, juicy and flat-out delicious. The Gallina is often a shy wine that needs time in bottle to truly blossom, but the 2015 seems to have skipped that initial phase of reticence. In two separate tastings, the 2015 has been incredibly sensual and polished. Historically, the Gallina has the most consistent track record in aging of the three top Barbarescos in the range. It will be interesting to see if that is the case here as well. For now, the 2015 Gallina is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from La Spinetta."

Score

93

"A fabulous nose of Christmas pudding, plum and lemongrass leads to a full body, with soft, silky tannins and beautiful fruit. Best after 2012. 960 cases made, 450 cases imported."

Score

91

"The 2006 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina opens with sexy, super-ripe aromas that continue on to the palate, where the wine reveals a gorgeous core of ripe red fruit. This is an especially elegant Gallina with tons of length and a finessed close. The 2006 Gallina will be hard to resist in its youth, but in a few years' time the tannins should soften a touch, bringing the wine into even better balance."

Score

91

"The 2006 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina opens with sexy, super-ripe aromas that continue on to the palate, where the wine reveals a gorgeous core of ripe red fruit. This is an especially elegant Gallina with tons of length and a finessed close. The 2006 Gallina will be hard to resist in its youth, but in a few years’ time the tannins should soften a touch, bringing the wine into even better balance. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021."