Elio Sandri 'Cascina Disa' Barbera d'Alba Superiore, Piedmont, Italy

2022 Elio Sandri Cascina Disa Barbera d'Alba Superiore is a concentrated and elegant expression of Barbera from Monforte d’Alba. Sourced from organically farmed vines on the famed Disa hill, this wine reflects the unique blue marl soils of Piedmont with depth, freshness, and refined power.

Product Details:

• Winemaker/ Owner: Elio Sandri
• Varietal: 100% Barbera
• ABV: 15.5%
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Terroir: Blue marl soils on the Disa hill in Monforte d’Alba
• Vinification & Aging: Traditional low-intervention methods; spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts; maceration in concrete vats to preserve fruit purity; aging in large neutral oak to add refinement and balance
• Apogee (Drinking Window): 2024–2032
• Production: Limited artisanal production, approximately 3,500 bottles annually

Sensory Description:

This Barbera d’Alba Superiore opens with vibrant aromas of black cherry, plum, and dark berries layered with dried flowers, spice, and subtle earth. The palate is broad and powerful yet finely structured, showing ripe fruit intensity balanced by lively acidity and a mineral undercurrent from the marl soils. With its 15.5% alcohol, the wine remains elegant and polished, carrying a long, refined finish of black fruit and savory spice.

Winemaker's Background:

Elio Sandri farms just 8 hectares on the historic Cascina Disa estate in Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont. His vineyards, planted with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto, rest on blue marl soils that impart freshness and minerality. A traditionalist at heart, Sandri uses minimal intervention in the cellar, with native yeast fermentations and long macerations in concrete. While his Barolo wines often age up to 60 months before release, his Barbera embodies the same philosophy of patience, purity, and authenticity. These are soulful wines of terroir and emotion, crafted in extremely limited quantities and prized for their balance and longevity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 16–18 °C in large Bordeaux-style glasses after a brief decant. Its freshness and depth make it an ideal partner for hearty Italian fare, particularly lasagne, braised meats, roasted lamb, or aged cheeses. Its lively acidity also complements dishes with rich sauces or earthy vegetables.

The 2022 Elio Sandri Cascina Disa Barbera d’Alba Superiore captures the essence of Monforte d’Alba, elegant, powerful, and deeply expressive of its terroir. With its refined balance of fruit, minerality, and structure, it is both a wine to enjoy now and one to cellar through 2032 for added complexity.