Michele Chiarlo Barbera D'Asti Le Orme

Michele Chiarlo Barbera D'Asti Le Orme is a 100% Barbera red wine from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, which called it a classic Barbera with vibrant aromas of wild berries, herbs, and purple flowers. Sourced from vineyards in the prized Nizza zone of southern Asti, this bottling consistently demonstrates why Barbera ranks among Piedmont's most compelling native grapes.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Piedmont, Italy  |  Style: Barbera d'Asti DOCG  |  Producer: Michele Chiarlo

Production & Heritage

Michele Chiarlo is one of Piedmont's benchmark estates, with holdings spread across the Asti and Langhe zones. Le Orme draws its fruit from four Barbera vineyards in the Nizza subzone, including the historic La Court estate, planted in chalky, lime-rich Astian sands that lend the wine a distinctive mineral backbone. After harvest, the grapes undergo 10 days of skin maceration using a gentle "shower" cap management system at temperatures controlled between 27°C and 32°C, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine then rests for 16 months total, with four months in large oak casks — enough to add subtle structure without masking Barbera's natural vivacity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cherry and violet lead the nose, followed by layers of wild red berries and a delicate thread of baking spice. With air, subtle herbal notes and hints of dark plum emerge from the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, with ripe cherry and red currant flavors giving way to a mid-palate of blackberry and plum. Soft, supple tannins frame the fruit while a savory, almost earthy undercurrent adds complexity. Lively, well-integrated acidity keeps the wine focused and refreshing throughout.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering notes of dark cherry, chocolate, and a faint mineral edge. The texture remains smooth, tapering into a clean, savory close.

How to Drink Le Orme

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to let the aromatics fully open; a brief 20-minute decant benefits younger vintages by softening the tannins and broadening the mid-palate. Le Orme is built for the table — try it alongside classic pappardelle al ragù, where its acidity cuts through rich meat sauce; with a wood-fired Margherita pizza, where cherry fruit mirrors roasted tomato and basil; or paired with a salumi and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano board, where the wine's structure and savory finish find natural counterpoints.

Best For

• Introducing someone to premium Piedmontese red wine beyond Barolo
• Weeknight Italian dinners that call for a step above everyday table wine
• Building a Piedmont-focused collection alongside Nebbiolo-based bottles
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who values Italian native varietals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Orme taste like? Le Orme delivers ripe cherry, blackberry, and plum flavors with soft tannins and lively acidity. A savory finish with hints of chocolate and earthy minerality rounds out the profile.

How does Le Orme compare to Vietti Barbera d'Asti Trevie? Both are well-regarded Barbera d'Asti wines from established Piedmontese producers that regularly score 90-plus points from major critics. Le Orme emphasizes bright fruit and minerality with restrained oak aging — just four months in large cask — while Vietti Trevie tends toward a more concentrated, oak-influenced style.

Is Le Orme good for everyday drinking? Le Orme hits a sweet spot between everyday accessibility and serious quality, with enough depth and structure to reward attention at the dinner table. Its vibrant acidity and fruit-forward character make it approachable without extended cellaring.

Where is Le Orme made? Le Orme is produced by Michele Chiarlo in the Asti province of Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The Barbera grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Nizza subzone, planted in the region's distinctive lime-rich Astian sands.

What foods pair well with Le Orme? Tomato-based pasta dishes like ragù, where the wine's acidity balances rich meat sauce. Grilled Italian sausage, which complements the dark fruit and savory notes. Wood-fired pizza, where cherry and herb flavors echo tomato and basil. Aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, which match the wine's tannic structure. Roasted mushroom or eggplant dishes, which mirror the earthy undertones.

What sizes does Le Orme come in? Michele Chiarlo Barbera D'Asti Le Orme is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Le Orme worth the price? Le Orme positions as a mid-range Barbera d'Asti that consistently over-delivers for its price tier, with critical scores reaching 94 points from Wine Enthusiast. It represents strong value within the broader Piedmontese red wine category, offering complexity typically associated with more expensive bottlings.

Why Le Orme?

Le Orme stands out in the Barbera d'Asti category through its combination of critical acclaim — 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, 92 from Wine Spectator — and a production philosophy that respects the grape's natural character. The restrained use of large oak preserves Barbera's signature bright acidity and dark fruit intensity, while Nizza-area vineyard sources including the La Court estate provide the mineral depth that separates serious Barbera from simple quaffers. This is a wine that bridges everyday drinking and cellar-worthy quality, consistently earning scores that place it among the top expressions in its appellation.