VinoBuy: Bombshell Barbera!
2006 GOZZELINO Barbera d'Asti "Sciorio"
$19.95 bottle....$195.00 case
For long time VINO denizens a wine that almost needs no introduction. A staple of our shelves in Sellwood for years, this single vineyard wine from Beppe Gozzelino mysteriously disappeared for two vintages. Now it's back, and not to be sales cliché guy, but it really is better than ever. I can hardly tell you how excited I was to take this home and give it a test slurp after my importer dropped off a sample bottle. The last time I'd had it was the 2003 vintage, and now to have a bottle from the classic 2006 vintage to try....well, my glass was all a quiver! My anticipation was amply rewarded, as Beppe did not disappoint. The 2006 Piedmont vintage is known for it perfect balance of just right ripeness allied with firm, but not harsh tannins and a perfect dose of that needed acidity. This darkly hued Barbera is richly textured, with loads of cherries rolling across your palate on first taste. Then the intrigue starts, as plum jam, spice, smoke, and that delicious Piedmont earth starts to emerge, tantalizing and teasing me back for another taste...and another...and.... reminding me once again how much I LOVE great Barbera. There are ample tannins here to back up all that fruit, so even though this is superb to drink right now, I can easily see it lasting for 5-8 more years in a cool basement. As I've said innumerable times, Barbera is one of the world's best food wines. The Gozzelino "Sciorio" in truly one of the world's great Barberas. Add those two facts together and this is firmly in "Must Buy" territory!