ForteMasso Barbera D'Alba Superiore

Opened this with my lasagna last night and the extra barrel time really shows—the cherry and plum notes are bold but not overbearing. It softened beautifully after about half an hour in the glass, making every sip feel more rounded.

Poured a glass alongside some slow-cooked lamb, and that extra time in the barrel really comes through—smooth, deep cherry and plum without any sharp edges. It’s the kind of wine that makes you want to linger at the table.

Opened it with a plate of penne in a heavy tomato sauce and the cherry and plum notes stood up beautifully against the acidity. The extra barrel time gives it a softness that made the whole bottle disappear before the pasta even cooled.