I am organizing a tasting of American Barberas for my wife’s birthday. So far, I’ve only got:
2019 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Barbera
2019 Scott Harvey J&S Reserve Barbera
2019 Casasmith Cervo Barbera
2018 Prima Materia Barbera
Recommendations for great stuff to add? We’re in Texas, but I’m willing to have stuff shipped.
Thanks!
Idlewild!
Scott Harvey is a good choice.
I would add to that Palmina, they have various vineyards and price points
Reach out to https://restorationvineyards.com/
They make a Colorado Barbera that is excellent. Buy the ‘16 if you can.
Definitely get some Unti. Easton do a good one too.
Ive always enjoyed the barbera from Seghesio and Portalupi in Sonoma.
Yes, Unti has been doing a terrific job with barbera (as well as everything else they grow).
Bedrock if you can find it.
I’ve got a 2015 Helwig (Amador Co.) lined up to be opened shortly - I thought they did a pretty good job with the grape. Cheers!
Unti is a good choice. I like Navarro’s barbera as well.
I didn’t know Navarro made barbera. I’d imagine they do a good job.
By coincidence, my Unti order from a visit a week ago just arrived:
Woodward Canyon in Washington State puts out a fairly nice one that they’ve done for over 20 years.
+1 re Unti
Preston of Dry Creek!
Ones I haven’t tried but presume are good: Forlorn Hope, Giornata, Lepiane
I always thought Barbera could a zinfandel that was lower in alcohol and higher in acidity, but I guess for most the high alc of zin is a feature, not a bug.
What’s the point? Even the Italian versions suck. 
Would 2nd the Palmina recommendation. Would also suggest a Yorba as Ann Kraemer grows the barbera at Shake Ridge Vineyards.
Yeah, I was wondering a bit as well. American Barbera is a bit like American Sangiovese for me. You end up often paying a fair amount more for an oaked up domestic version of a wine that is often a bargain from overseas. The overseas version is almost always better.
Most American barbera is engine stripper to be fair. Get the real stuff, from the original source. no reason to lose a wife over esophageal burn.
+1
Worst birthday ever.