Barbera

Only in the best vintages are some plots of Olim Bauda's vineyards in the Nizza DOCG selected for the Riserva Bauda, in order to press one of the greatest wines of the entire appellation, which is still very young. The wait was clearly worth it. Strong purple red. Complex bouquet of red fruits with an almost haptic texture and a terrific harmony of fruit, typicity and acidity that perfectly combines the winemaker's long-proven Barbera expertise and the class of the Nizza DOCG. Not only for us an absolute archetype for grape variety and origin. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Nizza Riserva Bauda shows just how compelling top-flight Barbera can be in Asti. Blueberry jam, herbs, menthol, licorice and mocha infuse the 2017 with tons of depth. The Bauda is a rich, heady wine, but it also avoids the excess heaviness that can sometimes be an issue in this region. There's a ton of richness, and yet the 2017 is not at all overdone. Give this a few years in bottle and then enjoy over the following decade. In a word: exquisite." Vinous

Barbera d'Alba Scarrone from the vineyard of the same name is a beautifully complex, rich Barbera cru. Aromas of dark, fragrant fruit, spices, liquorice and minerals. Opulent and impeccably balanced, silky tannins, sweet floral notes on the long, dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy, with flavours of black cherry, violet, cumin and cardamom and a hint of toasted oak. Fresh and harmonious, with a long-lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"Lots of black berries and black liquorice on the nose, medium body, very fine tannins and a fresh and lively finish. Fine texture." James Suckling

"This single-vineyard Barbera pops out of the glass with tart blueberry and boysenberry jam aromas accented by candied violets and savory spices. Round and giving, the wine aims to please while still being serious. Ripe mixed berries combine with dried herbs and finish with such great structure and acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The Barbera d'Alba Vigna Scarrone 2021 is dense, lush and explosive. An onslaught of dark red cherry and plum fruit, mocha, liquorice, spices, rose petals and a hint of French oak builds in the glass. The Scarrone is another excellent Barbera from Vietti, powerful and quite deep. The Scarrone has developed very well in recent years." Vinous

Every year, La Crena is one of the best and most refined Barbera wines that Piedmont produces. The vines in the Vigna del Nove parcel date back to the 1930s. This vintage will also need many years to develop its full expressiveness, but that's the way it is and we love this crazy development potential so much. La Crena is creamy and rich in the glass, dense, very concentrated with an abundance of layers of fruit that only develop fully with further years of ageing and make for an energetic, exciting wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Opulent nose, with dark fruits tempered with some stylish oak. Suave and juicy, fine texture, balanced by firm acidity, which gives some spice and flair to the finish. Vincenzo Arnese: Candied aromas of Morello cherry and wild strawberry, very expressive. Bold palate with robust tannins; time will smooth it, yet quite rich and pleasant." Decanter

"The 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is exceptional. Bright, red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. In recent times Vietti has focused more on freshness in their Barberas, and that is especially evident in La Crena—a wine that used to be very dark and heavy but is far from that today. Clean, mineral notes extend the vibrant finish. Give this a few years to develop the full range of its aromatic breadth. What a wine!" Vinous

Rich ruby, very typical nose of sour cherries, red berries and spices. Grip, light tannin on the palate, pithy, very nice fruit, firm and sturdy. A Barbera for connoisseurs! SUPERIORE.DE

Only in the best vintages are a few parcels of Olim Bauda's vineyards in the Nizza DOCG selected for the Riserva Bauda to make one of the greatest wines of the entire, still very young appellation. The wait was clearly worth it. Deep purple red colour. Complex bouquet of red fruits with an almost tactile texture and a terrific harmony of fruit, typicity and acidity that perfectly combines the winemaker's long proven Barbera expertise and the class of the Nizza DOCG. Not only for us an absolute archetype for grape variety and origin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Slightly earthy with dark spices, crushed wild berries, dried violets and hints of tar. Dry and polished yet juicy and agile at the same time with bright acidity coming through with polished, fine tannins. Vivid, red-fruited finish." James Suckling

The Barbera d'Alba Piani is pleasantly fresh and complex. A remarkable concentration in its aroma of dark fruits and sweet flavours of toasted oak. The palate is full, full-bodied, silky-textured tannins and harmonious all round. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Barbera d'Alba Piani is a knock-out. Creamy and ample, with striking depth, the 2021 has a ton to offer. Succulent red/purplish fruit, cedar, spice, new leather and a kiss of sweet French oak all build in this effortless, engaging Barbera." Vinous

The grapes of this exceptional Barbera come from the single vineyard Pira from Castiglione Falletto - this is where the best Barbaresco and Barolo of the region usually come from. Roagna's Barbera d'Alba is a deep, serious wine with an exuberant bouquet of ripe red fruits, flowers, spices and crushed boulders. The palate is clear and precise with redcurrants, cherries, underpinned by a Barbera-typical acidity and medium-weight tannins. In its overall composition, it is one of the most fascinating, elegant and at the same time classic representatives of its kind and demands all the attention and leisure of the taster - the reward follows on its heels. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Barbera d'Alba, is a very pretty, aromatic wine. In this vintage, the Barbera is a bit more floral and savory, but ess texturally intense than in many years, but that adds to its accessibility. Cedar, tobacco, dried herbs, autumn leaves and earthy notes linger. " Vinous

Only in the best years, the grapes from the one-hectare Barbera vineyard "Brunet", planted by Matteo's grandfather in the 1960s, are turned into their own Barbera d'Alba Superiore, and this is bottled in a few hundred magnum bottles after 2 years of ageing in large wood, and only released in small quantities on request. The 2018 edition is more restrained and elegant than the classic Barbera Superiore of the house. A brightness and freshness shines from the glass, which, together with the bouquet of wild cherry and blackberry, reveals a terrific independence and finesse. Then, in the drink, a depth and length flanked by well-proportioned acidity and mild tannins, which make the wine a great companion for juicy steaks or braised game dishes as it matures in the bottle. This is a Barbera Cru in a class of its own! SUPERIORE.DE

Barbera d'Alba Pre-Phylloxera (or Prefilossera) comes from a tiny vineyard that is over a hundred years old. Intense in aroma and flavour of plums, black berries, young leather and damp forest soil. Broad, full-bodied and supported by a lively acidity, it flows flanked by velvety tannins into a never-ending finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Complex aromas with notes of wild berries, chocolate and mint, plenty of power, fruit and fullness on the palate, spicy and opulent final. A Barbera that can and should mature. The small edition of this exquisite extract from just under 1.4 hectares of vineyard usually sells out in no time at all. SUPERIORE.DE

"A smooth, lively red wine with sweet spices centred around a core of plum, black cherry and blueberry. Smooth in texture, with a line of dusty tannins on the finish. Balanced, just needs time. Decant now." Wine Spectator

"Floral aromas with sandalwood to the character of black berries and black cherries. Medium-bodied with firm and racy tannins. A juicy and bright finish. 50% of the vineyards were planted in 1918." James Suckling

"As if staring into a purple void, this deep Barbera draws the attention immediately open with aromas of framboise liquor, dried violets and baking spice. Forward, fun and serious at the same time, the wine pops with tart cherry jam and wild herb flavors with vibrant acidity keeping the palate fresh." Wine Enthusiast

"The Barbera d'Alba Scarrone Vigna Vecchia 2021 is endowed with enormous depth and resonance. Black cherry, plum, smoke, liquorice and chocolate are all turned up to the max. The Vigna Vecchia is Vietti's most extracted Barbera. As such, it is also the one most clearly associated with the wines of the past. It is certainly a good performance, but it is not significantly better than the Scarrone." Vinous

Bricco della Bigotta has an aroma of cherries, cinnamon, black pepper and a hint of tobacco. Great finesse and a harmonious balance between acidity and alcohol on the palate. Long finish with character and class. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, intense ruby red colour. Ripe nose of red fruits, cherry, plum, followed by spicy notes of liquorice and vanilla, with a hint of wood. On the palate it is rich, round and reminiscent of ripe fruit and undergrowth, very long finish." Falstaff

"A rich and intense Barbera that offers dark plums, blackberries, ground spices and chocolate. Structured and dense with chalky tannins and juicy acidity. Long lasting finish." James Suckling

"Dense and concentrated aromas of black plum jam, cloves, vanilla and violets pour from the glass from the start. Blackberry and black cherry compote fill the palate, while sweet and savoury spices emerge, giving way to dried violets, mocha and dark earthy notes. The wine finishes with elegant tannins and tangy, fresh Barbera acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"A bright, concentrated red with aromas and flavours of plum, fruitcake, leather, tar and oak spices. Dense, with serious tension that defines the long aftertaste. Intense and complex." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Barbera d'Asti Bricco della Bigotta is a wild, exotic wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, kirsch, new leather, menthol, blood orange and sweet oak add loads of nuance and complexity to this flamboyant Barbera. The Bigotta is rich and layered, with great depth, another winner in this range from Braida. Bright acids and floral notes round off the finish." Vinous

Bright intense ruby, a lot of fresh, concentrated berry fruit in the nose, very elegant, on the palate accentuated acidity in the approach, which then gives way to a fine tannin, long and juicy in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Sandrones Barbera d'Alba has an aroma of ripe red berries, dark cherries and a hint of coffee and chocolate. On the palate, it has a full-bodied, soft texture, captivating refinement and pure harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2021 Barbera d'Alba is full of juicy dark cherries, plums, spices, new leather and liquorice. This supple, juicy Barbera is a great choice to drink now and over the next few years." Vinous

"It is very attractive with fresh dark and blue fruits along with hints of violets, dried citrus peel and cocoa, followed by a medium-bodied, structured and supple palate with crisp acidity and lively juiciness to the fruit." James Suckling

"Powerful violet colour with an almost black core. Intense aroma of ripe blueberries and blackberries on the nose, notes of violets and light spice. Soft and juicy on the palate, balanced, with well-integrated tannins and blueberry flavours on the finish." Falstaff

"Tantalising aromas of tart plums, boysenberries and wildflowers rise from the glass of this energetic and unique Barbera. The fleshy palate is fuelled by tart blue and black fruits, with a mix of spice and mouth-watering acidity on the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"The Luciano Sandrone 2021 Barbera d'Alba starts with a dense concentration and a deep darkness. It has aromas of cooked fruit and also some savoury tones, such as leather, spices and a hint of dusty liquorice. The style is big, and this wine is conventional with big juicy sensations. It's all very elaborate for a Barbera d'Alba, but we're talking about a vintage that has a particular concentration by nature." Wine Advocate

With tireless dedication, the Bologna family fulfils the legacy of Giacomo Bologna, who is rightly called the father of modern Barbera d'Asti. The historic jewel of the house is the Bricco dell'Uccellone: dense and complex on the nose, with blackberry jam, mocha, liquorice and cloves in the drink. Its fine-grained tannins and excellent structure carry it with beautiful fruit and acid wire into a long-lasting finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Braida 2020 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is one of the bottles that made Italian wine history. It shows its dark and savoury side with ripe cherries, baked plums, spices, tarry smoke and campfire embers. With time, these flavours soften and reorganise, reminiscent of espresso beans or baking chocolate. The wine is very concentrated and fruit-driven." Wine Advocate

"A supple red wine with aromas of plums, blueberries, clay and toasted oak. It shows assertive tannins on the finish, but has plenty of fruit and the long finish shows its future potential." Wine Spectator

"Notes of crushed dark berries, chocolate, cured meat and dark earth. Medium- to full-bodied, juicy and fresh with tension and energy to the dark fruit. Vivid acidity. Chalky and intense finish. Very attractive." James Suckling

"This historic Barbera opens with blackberry compote, spiced black plums, cedar and sweet spices. The opulent palate shows notes of preserved cherries, anise, cloves and cocoa, with polished and elegant tannins. The wine finishes with a lively acidity that keeps this big, bold and beautiful wine fresh with each glass." Wine Enthusiast

The extremely juicy, single-varietal Barbera Larigi is a dream and unfortunately still underestimated. Plum, cherry, a little chocolate and leather caress the palate, the wine leads into a long and fresh finish and has completely thrilled us! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Elio Altare 2020 Langhe Rosso Larigi is 100% Barbera, with just three barriques (or 900 bottles) produced. Yields were reduced because some of the vines suffer from the floral disease Flavescence dorée, which is unfortunately popping up throughout the region. These results are very rich and plump with ripe fruit flavors and blackberry preserves. The wine is very generous and soft in texture." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Larigi is deep and fleshy, with terrific depth and tons of nuance. Super-ripe dark cherry, red plum, mocha, spice, new leather and lavender infuse the 2020 with gorgeous textural depth. Plush and energetic, the 2020 offers terrific balance, with less opulence and a bit more energy than some previous editions. It's a style I admire quite a bit. Sadly, there are just three barrels to go around." Vinous

Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. Rich and complex bouquet, with numerous hints of black fruits and underlying notes of vanilla, oak, some tar, liquorice and cocoa. Full, powerful, full of character, but at the same time elegant and sensual taste with a delicately sweet aftertaste, harmonious and very delicate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby red. The nose is very broad and shows structure and complexity. Notes of ripe red fruits, liquorice, vanilla and toasted wood, also hints of leather and cocoa powder. Juicy on the palate, elegantly full-bodied, harmonious and persistent finish." Falstaff

"The 2019 Barbera d’Asti Ai Suma is laced with blackberry jam, crème de cassis, sweet spice, licorice, lavender and plenty of sweet French oak. Silky and supple, with terrific balance, this decidedly extroverted Asti Barbera delivers the goods, and then some." Vinous

This powerful red wine, characterised by spicy new oak, exudes aromas and flavours of plums, blackberries, fruit cake, almonds and vanilla. Balanced in an exuberant way, with pronounced fruit and a long aftertaste. A Barbera of exquisite intensity, class and beauty.

"A stellar wine, the 2021 Barbera d'Alba Tulin is packed with blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, espresso and spice. It's a superb example of the heights Barbera aged in French oak can reach. The style won't be for everyone, but readers who want to see what wines of this school are all about will find a fabulous example here." Vinous

Barbera d'Alba Scarrone from the vineyard of the same name is a beautifully layered, rich Barbera cru. Aromas of dark fragrant fruits, spices, liquorice and minerals. Opulent and impeccably balanced silky tannins, sweet floral notes in the long dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lifted and very aromatic, this wine tantalizes with notes of macerated cherries, wild rose, sandalwood, star anise and wild herbs working with such harmony you have trouble taking the first sip. The lush and round palate bursts with plush red-berried fruits that give way to savory and warm spicy notes finishing with fresh earth notes." Wine Enthusiast

"Deep and intense on the nose with red and dark berries, spicy herbs, dark chocolate and burnt orange peel. Also some wet earth. Full and complex with dusty tannins and a meaty juiciness. Long lasting and bright." James Suckling

"Part of the Scarrone vineyard was replanted in 1989, and from these younger vines comes the Vietti 2020 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Scarrone. This wine is also dense and darkly concentrated, but not to the same extent as the version made from the fruit of the old vines. Dark fruits, baked plums and sweet spices add dimension and volume to this wine." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Scarrone is outstanding. Rich and expansive, the 2020 is infused with the essence of dark cherry fruit, rose petals, cinnamon, leather and mocha take centre stage. All the elements come together so effortlessly. On the finish, floral and spicy notes reappear. This is such a noble and polished Barbera." Vinous

The extremely complex Barbera d'Asti La Crena comes from vines up to 90 years old in the heart of the Nizza Monferrato region and smells of ripe red fruits, hay and pastries. The full-bodied, warm taste lingers long with plenty of dark fruit, well-proportioned acidity and fine cocoa tones. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Vietti 2018 Barbera d'Asti La Crena sees its fruit sourced from very old vines with some of the plants approaching the 100-year-old mark. This is a rich and darkly concentrated wine with a lovely bouquet that is lifted and bright. The wine reveals dark cherry fruit, raw blackberry and plum. That opulent, old-vine fruit drowns out much of the acidic sharpness of the grape." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Readers should be in no rush here. In 2019, La Crena is a bit reticent and less opulent than it can be, but then again, this is a wine that only blossoms with a few years in bottle. Inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks, spice and lavender open with air, but only reluctantly. The 2018 will be a jewel for those who can wait." Vinous

Barbera d'Alba Scarrone from the vineyard of the same name is a beautifully complex, rich Barbera cru. Aromas of dark, fragrant fruit, spices, liquorice and minerals. Opulent and impeccably balanced, silky tannins, sweet floral notes on the long, dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Spicy, with flavours of black cherry, violet, cumin and cardamom and a hint of toasted oak. Fresh and harmonious, with a long-lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"Lots of black berries and black liquorice on the nose, medium body, very fine tannins and a fresh and lively finish. Fine texture." James Suckling

"This single-vineyard Barbera pops out of the glass with tart blueberry and boysenberry jam aromas accented by candied violets and savory spices. Round and giving, the wine aims to please while still being serious. Ripe mixed berries combine with dried herbs and finish with such great structure and acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The Barbera d'Alba Vigna Scarrone 2021 is dense, lush and explosive. An onslaught of dark red cherry and plum fruit, mocha, liquorice, spices, rose petals and a hint of French oak builds in the glass. The Scarrone is another excellent Barbera from Vietti, powerful and quite deep. The Scarrone has developed very well in recent years." Vinous

The extremely complex Barbera d'Asti La Crena comes from vines up to 90 years old in the heart of the Nizza Monferrato region and smells of ripe red fruits, hay and pastries. The full-bodied, warm taste lingers long with plenty of dark fruit, well-proportioned acidity and fine cocoa tones. SUPERIORE.DE

"Barbera from Asti is noticeably different from Barbera from Alba. You will recognize Asti for the brighter aromas, the tart fruit flavors and the freshness. The Vietti 2020 Barbera d'Asti La Crena makes this point with lifted aromas of sour cherry, unripe plum and pomegranate seed. The wine remains juicy and very fruit-forward, but the high tones are given more prominence here." Wine Advocate

"Notes of candied dark berries, chocolate, roasted spices and burnt orange peel. Full-bodied and intense with a toasted, chocolaty character. The juicy fruit is supported by a bed of broad but soft tannins. Long finish." James Suckling

"The Barbera d'Asti La Crena 2020 is soft and lush from the start. In this vintage, the La Crena is particularly forward and fruit-driven. The 2020 needs at least a couple of years to fully develop the classic aromas and flavours of La Crena. Hints of gravel, crushed rock and dried herbs hint at what is to come. La Crena usually blossoms with time in the bottle. I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case here too." Vinous

Every year, La Crena is one of the best and most refined Barbera wines that Piedmont produces. The vines in the Vigna del Nove parcel date back to the 1930s. This vintage will also need many years to develop its full expressiveness, but that's the way it is and we love this crazy development potential so much. La Crena is creamy and rich in the glass, dense, very concentrated with an abundance of layers of fruit that only develop fully with further years of ageing and make for an energetic, exciting wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Opulent nose, with dark fruits tempered with some stylish oak. Suave and juicy, fine texture, balanced by firm acidity, which gives some spice and flair to the finish. Vincenzo Arnese: Candied aromas of Morello cherry and wild strawberry, very expressive. Bold palate with robust tannins; time will smooth it, yet quite rich and pleasant." Decanter

"The 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is exceptional. Bright, red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. In recent times Vietti has focused more on freshness in their Barberas, and that is especially evident in La Crena—a wine that used to be very dark and heavy but is far from that today. Clean, mineral notes extend the vibrant finish. Give this a few years to develop the full range of its aromatic breadth. What a wine!" Vinous