Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018 Wine Review

Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018

Castagnole delle Lanze, Piedmont, Barbera d'Asti D.O.C.G., Italy

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 1

Add My Review

Price: $42.25

Drink: 2021-2026

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 15%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: White Wine

Organic wine

Winery: Cascina Galarin

Agent: David Francis Wines

Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

SAQ
4162512
Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Alana L rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

From the Southern Piedmont region (between Langhe and Monferrato) Cascina Galarin grows wine from typical Piedmontese varietals such as Barbera, Moscato, Nebbiolo and Freisa, and although they are recently (2016) certified organic, their winemaking history dates back to the 1700’s (1781 to be precise).

The deep roots from these old (over 50 years) vines for Tinella Barbera d’Asti offer increased uptake of minerals from the soil, their age naturally producing low yields which are further reduced by rigorous grape selection. The winery chooses to let nature to reign and does not normally practice ‘green harvesting’ (and follows an age-old tradition of bottling only during the days that the moon is waning!).

And the story behind the winery name and label? The wineries cellar, which is still used today, was handmade by the winemakers’ ancestors in 1781 and bears a carving of a rooster on its solid wood front door. ‘Galarin’, meaning ‘rooster’ in Piedmontese dialect, become the name and logo of the winery, as well as the family nickname. The winery has been a family tradition for over 200 years, and today sons Marco and Giovanni work alongside their father, oenologist Giuseppe Carosso in winemaking that aims to bring the terroir to the glass by practicing all organic methods, focusing on nature and the environment, maintaining their vineyards without the use of any herbicides or pesticides and encouraging the development of different types of grasses and plants among the vineyard rows and hazelnut groves.

Here the Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018 is a beautiful, complex, and powerful expression of Barbera. Made with 95% Barbera and 5% Freisa, the grapes are lightly destemmed, 15 days of fermentation in steel vats with frequent pumping over followed by a further 15 days with the skins before being transferred into barrels for its malolactic fermentation and aged 2 years in small oak barrels before being bottled unfiltered (during the waning moon).

Dark ruby red in colour, its aromas are fruit forward when first poured (a bit too cool from the cellar) with raspberry, blackberry and dark cherry but then evolves to leather, gingerbread and earth as it warms. With a full-bodied palate of fruit, pepper, spice, and dark chocolate; it has crisp, present acidity, rich, firm but balanced tannins (more than you would expect for Barbera) and a long finish. It’s smooth, balanced, and complex. It’s the reason Barbera d’Asti is gaining both in reputation and price and no longer considered a second fiddle to Barbera d’Alba. It has the structure to age, but it’s beautiful now.

Lamb, grilled meats, duck confit and game would all pear beautifully with this stunning example of Barbera.

David’s first product line was theirs, chosen for the unwavering focus on quality, winemaking approach, and consistent delivery of premium wines. Through his agency, David Francis Wine, David carries a small, but beautifully curated and original selection of wines from Italy, Spain, Moldova and Quebec. He’s chosen each one for a reason and is more than happy to share the stories behind each as well as why they made it into his offering! I was lucky enough to meet him recently and to taste through a selection of wines that reflect what he does with his young (2 years) agency: have a limited, different, high quality selection of wines at price points ranging from $15 - $45.

Cheers!

If you liked the Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018, you might also like these wines:

Update details for this wine
Add bottle and/or label shots for this wine
Wineries and agents: Add notes for this wine
Find this wine in other stores

Recipes for Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

SAVE MY SEAT!

Wine of the Week

As featured on

Charles Baker White Wine
Riesling 2021,
Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A. ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 333,880 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

Best Books of the Year

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources. learn more

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 333,880 strong:

Cascina Galarin Tinella Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore 2018 Wine Review

Pricing & Stock Information