Pico Maccario Nizza Tre Roveri 2021

In Piedmont, Nebbiolo may get most of the attention, but Barbera has long been the wine that locals reach for at the dinner table. And in the hills surrounding the town of Nizza Monferrato, this familiar grape takes on a particularly serious character.

Brothers Pico and Vitaliano Maccario established their winery in 1997, building on four generations of family grape growing in Mombaruzzo. Rather than continuing to sell their harvest to other producers, they set out to make wines under their own name, with Barbera at the heart of the project.

Tre Roveri, meaning "Three Oaks," takes its name from three old oak trees on the estate. The wine comes from selected parcels of the Vignone vineyard, where the family's careful approach to farming helps produce concentrated, fully ripened Barbera.

Nizza earned its own DOCG designation in recognition of the distinctive wines produced in this small corner of Piedmont. Unlike Barbera d'Asti, which can include a small percentage of other varieties, Nizza must be made entirely from Barbera. The wines are generally richer and more structured, with enough concentration to benefit from oak aging.

Tre Roveri spends at least twelve months in oak, developing additional texture and complexity while retaining Barbera's naturally lively acidity.

In the glass, expect ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, followed by hints of violet, vanilla, and warm spice. The palate is generous and rounded, with polished tannins and an energetic streak of acidity that keeps the rich fruit feeling fresh. The finish is long, with lingering dark fruit and savory spice.

Serve it with braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, or pappardelle with a slow-cooked beef ragù. This is Barbera with the depth to satisfy Cabernet drinkers, but with a distinctly Italian sense of freshness.