How
Sexy Can Barbera Get?
If you would have asked
us 5 years ago what we thought of wines
made from Piemonte’s Barbera grape,
we would have replied “Not much,”
with a few exceptions. Recently, Barbera
has undergone a metamorphosis unlike any
other grape variety in Italy – better
vineyard practices and site locations, lower
yields and improved winery technology have
all contributed to a quality explosion,
with new gems emerging almost weekly. Here
are a half-dozen examples of how seductive
Barbera can be:
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1997 Valentino Barbera
d’Alba “Sorito Mosconi”
$34.00
Valentino Migliorini’s
constant improvements in his winery and
vineyards in the prestigious village of
Monforte d’Alba has not only affected
his outstanding Barolos, but his Barberas
as well. This Barbera is rich in fruit,
spiced by toasty oak and shows velvety texture
and nice weight all across the palate.
1999 Hilberg Barbera d’Alba
$41.93
This small Piedmont revolutionary
has become an overnight “cult”
winery producing tiny quantities of very
big, unctuous wines. This Barbera is massive
and dense. Lots of ripe, almost dried, fruit
on the nose and palate.
1997 Cascina Ebreo “Segreto”
$59.90
This winery, located just
outside the village of Barolo is a relative
newcomer that is gaining a lot of attention.
This “Super-Piemonte” is 80%
Barbera with Nebbiolo filling in the rest
of the blend. The result is a blockbuster
of grand proportions with beautiful balance.
1998 Corsini Barbera d’Alba
“Armujan” $28.90
Corsini’s vineyards
are in the world-famous village of Monforte
d’Alba, known for its Barolos of great
complexity and longevity. Plenty of intensity
and depth on this Barbera, with a well-integrated
oak framework, wrapped by dark fruit.
1998 Ca’Rossa Barbera
d’Alba “Mulassa” $31.88
This unique winery has
actually begun to name Cru Barberas, a respect
for the variety unheard of only a few years
ago. This is juicy and extracted, has lots
of weight and possesses a fleshy texture
that caresses the palate.
2000 La Spinetta Barbera
d’Alba “Ca di Pian” $23.99
La Spinetta’s single-vineyard
Barbarescos are hard-to-find blockbusters.
The outstanding vineyard exposition and
state-of-the-art winery create saturated
and full-bodied beauties. This Barbera is
no exception.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Order a pair of each of
the above and get the case for $415.49!
Note:
Prices and availability are subject to
change.
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