First Ridge Barbera 2022

The team source their Barbera from the very highest parts of their Mudgee vineyards, at about 600 metres. After a couple of days cold soaking, the wine spends time maturing in French oak, 15% new. Very dark purple hue, the wine is quite an earthy style with notes of mushrooms, chocolate, blackfruits, aniseed and cloves. While the nose gives an impression of some rusticity, the palate is more to the plush. A fine, seamless structure, there is very good length and sleek tannins. The oak is deftly handled and fresh acidity gives the wine good energy whilst the palate sees an emergence of coffee bean notes. Enjoy this for at least the next six to eight years.