
2009 La Spinetta Barbaresco "Vigneto Starderi", Piedmont, Italy
A commanding and opulent expression of Nebbiolo, the 2009 Vigneto Starderi captures the warmth of the vintage with ripe, densely packed fruit and signature La Spinetta finesse. Aromas of black cherry liqueur, dried rose petals, mocha, and sweet tobacco lead into a velvety palate rich with plum, licorice, clove, and crushed stones. Bold and structured, yet polished and layered, it finishes with lingering spice and iron-tinged minerality.
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ABOUT THIS WINE
The Vigneto Starderi comes from a prized southwest-facing vineyard in Neive, one of the key communes of Barbaresco. Planted with old-vine Nebbiolo in calcareous soils, the site is known for producing wines with intensity, tannic structure, and deep fruit concentration. The 2009 vintage was marked by warm temperatures and early ripening, leading to rich, powerful wines with generous texture and immediate appeal, though still with aging potential.
La Spinetta's signature approach includes hand-harvesting, fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in 100% new French oak barrels for 22 months. The wine is then bottled without filtration and aged further before release. While this method imparts depth and spice, careful élevage ensures the vineyard’s identity remains intact.
In 2009, Starderi presents as lush and ripe, but not lacking in Nebbiolo’s hallmark tension and aromatic lift. Now over 15 years old, the wine has begun to shed some of its youthful power, revealing savory nuances of leather, dried herbs, and forest floor alongside its lingering fruit.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
La Spinetta, helmed by Giorgio Rivetti, is a benchmark of modern winemaking in Piedmont. Known for pioneering single-vineyard expressions of Barbaresco and crafting them with precision and flair, the estate emphasizes low yields, organic viticulture, and a bold, fruit-forward style tempered by classic structure.
The Vigneto Starderi is the most muscular and age-worthy of La Spinetta’s Barbaresco cru trio (alongside Gallina and Valeirano), and the lion motif by Albrecht Dürer on the label reflects the wine’s strength and nobility. While modern in execution, La Spinetta’s wines remain deeply rooted in terroir, offering a compelling bridge between tradition and innovation in the Langhe.