Olek Bondonio - Barbaresco 'Starderi' DOCG - 2022

Quite a lot of ripe strawberry and raspberry flavour here, a certain richness and juicy amplitude. There’s some mint, spice and almond paste, a dry grainy grip to tannin, quite fleshy and warm, though has no lack of flavour and character. A blonde tobacco savoury edge and shortbread richness. I like the rugged and spicy red fruit character, and while it’s a good wine, it does not have the tight and ‘mineral’ character of the best vintages from this producer. A bit of brick dust and sandstone closes out a warm, red fruited and Earl Grey tea finish of good length. It’s a bold one from a hot and dry vintage. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front