It is only a matter of time before the world comes to fully embrace the magnitude and relevance of the Colla family in the cultural and historical fabric of the Langhe, as they’ve truly helped set the stage for today’s more lifted and elegant expression of Barolo and Barbaresco. Grown inside of one of Barbaresco’s great crus, Roncaglie, these eighty-year-old Barbera vines (the majority in the blend of vines) are in a perfect south exposition, a privileged spot almost exclusively planted to Nebbiolo, the grape that makes up the entirety of both Barbaresco and Barolo. When asked why this particular spot remained planted to Barbera, Tino Colla, the family’s youthful elder, responded that the ancient people simply knew winegrowing better than we do and if they planted Barbera here then it was for a good reason; and when we replant, we will replant with Barbera! There you have it: history in a bottle and one that everyone should try. It shows the depth and wisdom of the old vines and the natural freshness of the grape. All wines from Colla are musts for me, but if this is to be your first bottle, it’s a great start.