Friday Flights

Why, yes, you are 100% correct in that assumption. What assumption, you ask? The assumption that I am SO flipping excited for this week’s Friday Flight! All Barberas from Italy’s gloriously delicious Piedmont region? Yes, those Barberas, the wines that are likely my absolute favorite things to drink at home. Seriously! I find myself going down to my basement and reaching for a Barbera off the rack way more often than any other wine. I would go so far as to say that even if I could afford way more expensive wines, I honestly would still rather drink Barbera, especially if it’s had a year or three tucked away in my basement. They’re so ridiculously food friendly and go with EVERYTHING. They can be serious enough to stand up to a high end dinner and at the same time be casual enough to slurp down with bacon cheeseburgers off the grill. Trust me, I’ve done both!

So give me the opportunity to have eight different Barberas in one night and I am all over it. This tasting was a blast for me to put together. It’s like picking your favorite among your eight children when they’re all your favorite child!! And maybe the best thing about Barbera is that no matter the level of financial commitment you’re ready to make, the ROI is awesome! In other words I’m thrilled to be able to pour the following for you guys. And definitely bring along some antipasti or other nibbles to the event, because like all self respecting Italian wine these kill it with food. I could go on and on, but dammit, let’s just get to it……
~ 2022 ERCOLE Barbera del Monferrato 1-liter …$14.95
~ 2022 REVERDITO Barbera d’Alba …$17.95
~ 2022 CANTINA DEL PINO Barbera d’Asti …$19.95
~ 2021 PAITIN Barbera d’Alba “Serra” …$24.95
>> 91 pts- Vinous: “The ’21 Paitin Serra is an absolute delight. A very pretty, articulate Barbera. I love the freshness and vibrancy here. What a beautiful wine this is.”
~ 2021 CIGLIUTI Barbera d’Alba “Serraboella” …$25.95
>> 91 pts- Vinous: “A rich, sumptuous wine. Succulent dark red fruit, rose petal, lavender, mocha and spice are all beautifully amplified.”

And these next three most assuredly live up to their Bonus status…
Bonus #1- 2021 RUGGERI CORSINI barbera d’Alba “Armujan” …$28.95
One of my favorite under-the-radar Barberas that is incredibly delicious now and will age beautifully. I recently had a 2012 Armujan that was sublime!!
Bonus #2- 2019 TENUTA OLIM BAUDA Nizza Riserva (Barbera d’Asti) …$41.95
>> 94 pts- Vinous: “The 2019 Nizza Riserva is packed with inky dark fruit, graphite, cured meat, herbs, leather, and lavender. Deep and layered with tremendous stature, the Riserva is a wonderfully complete wine that just needs time. Another impressive wine from Olim Bauda.”
Bonus #3- 2020 VIETTI Barbera D’Asti “La Crena” …$53.95
>> 93+ pts- Vinous: “The 2020 La Crena is voluptuous from the outset. In this vintage La Crena is especially forward and fruit driven. It will need a few years for classic La Crena aromas and flavors to emerge fully. Hints of gravel, crushed rock, dried herbs linger. La Crena always blossoms with time in the bottle.”
>> 92 pts- Wine Advocate: “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 La Crena makes this point with lifted aromas of sour cherry, plum and pomegranate seed. The wine remains juicy and very fruit-forward, but the high tones are given more prominence here.”
>> 90 pts- Wine Spectator: “Broad and rich, this red reveals black cherry, blackberry, plum and loam flavors, with a hint of baking spices. Heady and lively, finishing with saturated fruit and spice accents.”
 >> 90 pts- Wine Enthusiast: “Ripe black cherry, boysenberry, wild herbs and dried violets spill from the glass of this opulent Barbera. Round and giving, it shows ample mixed berry fruit notes that are balanced by savory herbal notes and sweet spices finishing with crunchy acidity.”

That’s not a bad way to kick off the weekend, now is it? You absolutely need to have your priorities in order and show up this Friday anytime between 4:30-8:00. The cost to taste through the first five wines is an extremely reasonable $12, with a very well spent bit more for the world class bonus set. And I don’t want to curse it, but looking at the forecast for later this week we just might be able to take those new picnic tables out on the patio for a shakedown cruise. Keep those fingers crossed!!