The name of this wine is taken from the previous farmer. Gepin tended these old parcels of Barbera in the great crus of Ronchi (Barbaresco) and Cottà (Neive), planted between 1950 and 1974.
This wine has improved out of sight in recent vintages (in part thanks to enhanced barrel integration) and has now become a regular in our portfolio. Where the classic Barbera is raised in tank, the Gepin matures for 12 months in low-impact, large Austrian casks (from you know who) and is bottled unfiltered.This is a very classy Barbera, a ripe, pure and pulpy wonder with the kind of intensity and length seldom found in the regular DOC, where the best sites are often reserved for Nebbiolo. Plum, black cherry and raspberry fruit are framed by savoury tannins, chalky grip and the tangy acidity typical of the variety. Textural and full-bodied, the balance is sublime. It finishes with impressive length and precision. We might be in benchmark territory here—Galloni's note does not oversell the quality.