Asti, Piedmont, Italy
We love Olim Bauda’s Gavi and make it a regular feature in these pages. The estate’s greatest strength is its exemplary portfolio of Barberas. Organic since 2009, Olim Bauda crafts its lovely La Villa bottling for immediate enjoyment and to be especially versatile at the table. Fermented and aged in stainless steel to capture all of Barbera’s vibrant flavors, Olim Bauda’s Barbera La Villa sports a black-ruby color followed by gorgeous classic Barbera aromas of ripe plums, Bing cherry, bay leaf, wintergreen, and underbrush. Bright and vibrant on the palate, the wine exudes kirsch and plum fruit alongside complex notes of rhubarb, licorice, button mushrooms, anise, tar, and camphor. Bracing acidity cuts through the La Villa’s chewy fruit expression and segues the wine to a long, balanced finish featuring fine tannins, loamy earth, and fresh suggestions of wintergreen and tarragon. Delicious, balanced, and ready for your table, Olim Bauda’s La Villa will perform beautifully now and over the coming five years with hearty pastas, braises, pizza, marinated flank steak, and eggplant casseroles.
A May 2022 newsletter selection
