Renato Ratti Barbera d'Alba 2011

Deep, vivid red, this is the wine formerly labeled Torriglione, renamed following the 2010 labeling changes. Dark cherry, blackberry and a smoky, slightly reductive edge on the nose. Fuller and more concentrated than the 2012, with noticeably more muscle behind it, though the reduction mutes some of its fruit today. Sharp acidity and elevated alcohol push the wine toward an assertive, almost combative character. There's real material here, more heft and density than the younger bottling, but the 2012 shows better energy right now.