Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive

Bulletin Detail Date October 21, 2007  Title Last Call - Two Marvellous Barbera d'Astis from Ferro Carlo  Attachment ArthursCellar_Vol7Iss7_Ferr_Carlo.pdf  Bulletin Over 2,500 bottles of our 2004 "Notturno", Barbera d'Asti Superiore from Azienda Agricola Ferro Carlo have been sold at VINTAGES over the past few months thanks in large part to our wine club Members. And, there is still some available - LCBO product number 026088 ($19.95). If your favourite VINTAGES outlet hasn't got the wine, ask them to locate it for you on their in-store computer. Only 300 cases were ordered, so it will go quickly (we hope!!). We are going to take our order for Ferro Carlo's two other excellent, expressive red wines - the value-priced 2005 "Giulia" and the very classy, collectible 2004 "Roche" to the LCBO on Wednesday, October 24th. Both come in twelve-bottle cases and can be ordered via the wine club in the usual way. Read all about these wines and the winery in the attached issue of 'Selections'. 2005 “Giulia” Barbera d’Asti – (13.5% Alc./Vol.)       $16.80 This is sort of like the kid sister of the Notturno – in fact it is named after Carlo’s daughter. The big difference is that it does not spend any time in oak. After resting a year in steel tanks, it matures a further six months in the bottle before being released. Grape selection is also very rigorous with a yield of only 42 hectolitres per hectare. A little less alcoholic, it is still a full-bodied wine that displays pleasing notes of raspberry, black cherry, leather and resin. It has a good tannic grip and promises to last for several years. I would decant this surprisingly complex wine at least an hour before serving – with BBQ fare, stews and most pasta dishes. This is one delicious wine for the money. Order some for those mid-winter dinners with family and friends. 2004 “Roche” Barbera d’Asti – (14.5% Alc./Vol.)       $29.50 If the Giulia is the kid sister, the Roche is the big daddy of the Ferro Carlo trio of Barbera d’Asti wines. It is named after the hill on which the vineyard is situated which, thanks to its position and soil, is considered one of the best Barbera growing locations of Agliano Terme. Like the Nottuno, the yield is a very selective 35 hectolitres per hectare from vines exceeding fifty years of age. It too is vinified in steel vats and is matured for a year in new French barriques (small oak barrels). This is a huge, ruby red wine with excellent structure, body and aroma. It has a powerful bouquet of black cherries, leather, coffee, vanilla and chocolate that all persist in the mouth. This is a real keeper that belongs in any cellar where it should remain and happily mature for at least a decade. I loved it. Order some for your cellar. Please pass this note on to others who you think might be interested. Many thanks and ciao! Jim and Hélène Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club jaswalker@arthursellers.com