‘Barbera Della Stoppa'

Barbera, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

If we compared wine to regional mythology, this one would be the Italian Basilisco – serpentine with the legs of a duck and a huge crystal in its head that hypnotizes all who look its way (you see it too right?). La Stoppa wines are undisputed and keenly linked to their Northern Italian homeland. A revolutionary to many, winemaker Elena Panteoni has, without hesitation, lent her talent and passion to ‘La Stoppa’ since her reign began in 1991. Since 1990, a pure barbera is produced only in the years in which quality and quantity permit – 2006 happened to be such a year. Macerated on the skins for approx 40 days and naturally fermented, this killer barbera spends a year in large, old French oak barrels before two in bottle to meld & slip into its finest garb, just for us! Wafts so powerful it is hard to fully discern – iris, cracked leather book spines, puffball mushroom patch, ditch tobacco, fresh tarragon, dry figs in cinnamon, montmorency tart cherries & a waterfall of minerality that coaxes the happy-tears from your eyes. Enjoy with cured deer, roasted pheasant & stuffed pumpkins.