Barbera D'Alba Superiore ELAINE 2018

The Barbera ELAINE is a great expression of the Roero terroir. 16% alcohol, well integrated!

Filippo Gallino – Barbera d’Alba Superiore ELAINE 2018

Filippo Gallino Barbera d’Alba Superiore ELAINE 2018 is a rich, traditional expression of Barbera from the Roero hills, produced from 100% Barbera in the commune of Canale. The vineyards lie on light-coloured sandy, calcareous and clay-rich soils, with the grapes harvested entirely by hand in late September. ELAINE is named after a relative of the Gallino family who emigrated to California before eventually returning to the family’s Valle del Pozzo.

The wine shows an inviting bouquet of small red berries, ripe plum and strawberry preserve, complemented by violet, sweet spices, leather and subtle woody nuances. On the palate it is rich, warm and juicy, with Barbera’s naturally vibrant acidity providing freshness beneath the generous fruit. The wine is notably savoury and persistent, with a rounded texture and a gently spicy finish rather than pronounced tannic grip. At around 15% alcohol, the 2018 combines substantial ripeness with the lively character that makes Barbera particularly food-friendly.

After a 7–10 day maceration with manual pump-overs, the wine is fermented and refined in stainless steel before spending approximately 12 months in large 25-hectolitre oak barrels. The choice of large-format oak is deliberate: the aim is to introduce subtle tertiary notes of spice, leather and wood without overwhelming the primary fruit of the Barbera. At eight years of age, the 2018 should now offer an attractive balance between ripe fruit and developing savoury complexity, making it an excellent gastronomic Barbera for pasta with rich sauces, roasted or braised meats, charcuterie and mature cheeses.