
2020
Region
Italy › Piedmont › Monferrato › Vino
Type
red · still
Grapes
Barbera
Alcohol
14%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
4.99 g/L
Available at
After nearly two hours in decanter, this wine blossomed, showcasing a captivating array of ripe cherry, plums, red flowers, leather, chocolate, and a hint of humidor. The judicious use of VA here is a masterstroke, enhancing complexity and adding a subtle lift without veering too much into funkiness. It strikes a pleasing balance between rustic charm and austerity, presenting as round, juicy, and eminently quaffable. This wine, with its excellent quality-to-price ratio, hints at an even more rewarding experience with a few years of cellar aging.
The 2020 Bandita is a remarkable expression of the Barbera grape, originating from the estate's parcels in the steep hills of the Monferrato zone of Asti. Embodying the winery's organic and hands-on approach, the grapes, averaging 40 years of age, are meticulously farmed and harvested by hand. The winemaking process is equally thoughtful, with grapes being destemmed and gently pressed without breaking the skins, initiating a native-yeast fermentation. The long fermentation and maceration process in the winery's cool cellar, sometimes extending up to two months, and the subsequent ageing in concrete for a year, contribute to the wine's depth and complexity.
Bandita, once named so before legal pressures led to a change, showcases the essence of the Barbera variety - a deep, intense wine with a strong character, reflective of the terroir and the winemaker's philosophy. The wine is bottled unfiltered and without added sulfur, emphasizing Nadia's commitment to natural winemaking. The label, featuring Nadia depicted as a Bandita by artist Gianluca Cannizzo, captures the rebellious and spirited nature of both the wine and its maker. This wine not only represents the unique qualities of the Barbera grape but also stands as a symbol of Nadia Verrua's dedication to authentic, expressive winemaking.