Castello di Cigognola Barbera La Maga 2015

Off all the single-varietal Barberas from Oltrepò Pavese, Maga di Castello di Cigognola is a genuine jewel. The wine, a recurrent winner of national and international awards, benefits from land and excellent exposure of one of the wineries that best represents the qualitative leap of the region. The slow maceration in steel and the long aging in oak produce an exemplary, rather than classic, Barbera. La Maga’s colours are the classic deep ruby with violet reflections, a sign of an uncontrollable youth yet which is destined to make history. The bouquet is a marvellous mixed bag: on first impact, red flowers, from rose-hips to violets, combine with jammy fruit of the forest and dry prune. But what amazes is the base of cocoa, herbs and sweet spices, which complete its bouquet of unrivalled elegance. It does not disappoint on the palate. Brilliantly balanced, it is at the same time well-rounded and fragrant, opulent and subtly flavoursome. Juicy and pulpy, La Maga also reveals a gently polished tannin, which is at times imperceptible, but enough to produce sensations of enormous cleanliness and drinkability. Persistence is not affected at all, indeed it benefits from this superb elegance to produce a wine which is sharp, clean and unforgettable.