Musso Valter Barbera d'Alba 2023
by Musso Valter
- Grape variety
- Barbera
- Region
- Rio Sordo, Barbaresco, Piedmont (DOC Barbera d'Alba), Italy
- Style
- red
- Alcohol
- 12.5%
- Vintage
- 2023
Price: CHF 22 In stock
About this wine
Barbera is Piedmont's most democratic grape — the variety that fills the everyday table while Barolo and Barbaresco wait in the cellar. At Musso, the estate whose Barbaresco vineyards sit adjacent to Gaja's and whose Pora cru was voted best Barbaresco of 2014, even the Barbera d'Alba reflects the serious approach of the house. The Rio Sordo vineyard — one of Musso's oldest — faces south-west at 240 to 270 metres on white limestone-clay soils. Valter and Emanuele Musso split fermentation between stainless steel and 500-litre barrels, blend in the optimal ratio for the vintage, then mature in small wood before six months of bottle rest. Bright red fruit, vivid Barbera acidity, and the warmth of careful winemaking. A generous companion for the table.
Tasting notes
Intense garnet-red with ruby highlights. The nose is expressive and immediately appealing — red cherry and morello cherry lead, with violet, a hint of blackcurrant, and a warm cinnamon note from the wood aging. On the palate, lively and well-balanced: vivid acidity in close dialogue with generous fruit and a soft structure. Clean, persistent finish with vanilla and a touch of balsamic. Barbera at its most honest and willing to share.
Aromas
red cherry, morello cherry, blackcurrant, violet, cinnamon, vanilla, balsamic
Critic scores
- Vivino: 4.0
- Falstaff: 90
Structure
body light-medium · tannin low · acidity very high · sweetness dry
Serving
Serve at 15–17°C · Drink 2025–2031
Food pairings
Tagliatelle with meat ragù, Grilled sausages with polenta, Roast chicken, Pecorino
Best for
Pasta on the table. Red sauce night.
From the winemaker
100% Barbera from Rio Sordo vineyard, south-west facing at 240–270m altitude; white limestone-clay soils; hand-harvested; fermentation split between stainless steel and 500L wooden barrels, blended to optimal vintage ratio; several months in 500L barrels, then approximately 1 year in 200L barrels; 6 months bottle rest before release. Musso family estate, founded 1929; father Valter and son Emanuele Musso.
Editor's note
Musso is a Barbaresco estate of real standing — founded 1929, vineyards adjacent to Gaja's, Pora cru voted best Barbaresco of 2014. The Barbera d'Alba is where the list starts. Rio Sordo vineyard, split fermentation in stainless and wood, a year in barrel, six months in bottle. Red cherry, morello, vivid acidity, warm cinnamon, long finish. Barbera from serious hands — generous, honest, and completely willing to work.
Order Musso Valter Barbera d'Alba on sommelia.ch
Tell us about the occasion or the food and we will find you the right bottle, or browse the full collection.