2013 Socre, Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmonte, Italy.
The 2013 Socre Barbaresco is a pure and ripe Nebbiolo with striking profile and rich character, it fermented in tank and is raised for 18 months in used 225-liter French oak barrels, then It continues its aging in concrete vats and it is bottled after another six months at least, making for an expressive textual wine that wonderfully fruit driven on the palate. Socre’s Barbaresco comes from estate vines, in the sub zone of Roncaglie, that form the heart and soul of the winery, the soils are formed by 50 million year old deposits of alluvial material, with a composition that is a majority clay, with a limestone base derived from the ancient seabed. I’ve always admired what I’ve tasted from Socre and this 2013 does not disappoint with the vintage’s open knit palate and sweet tannin, it’s a great value to for such pleasing Barbaresco, this winery near the tiny hamlet Tre Stelle, which is a the village of Barbaresco, not far from the historic town of Alba, is a label to discover if you’ve not done so. Heady on the nose and richly opulent in the mouth this Barbaresco leads with classic earth, flowers, cedar and minty herbs along with it’s deep cherry, damson plum and distilled strawberry fruits adding a touch of tar, anise and mineral with air, and while 14% natural alcohol, it remains lively and sharply detailed delivering everything in seductive layers and with plenty of charm and vigor. The Socre 2013 is an impressive wine and a real winner for the price, it can be enjoyed now and certainly will be rewarding Nebbiolo for another 5 to 10 years easy.
($36 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
