This is a wine that I have had at least three times in the past two years, and as evinced in my tasting notes, each time with solid results. Probably one of my favorite Barberas in the $18 price range. Just a really tasty wine from an outstanding producer!
-
2004 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/20/2009)
Quite possible the best bottle of this wine I have had to date. A seamless integration of blackberries, roasted meats, and dried cherries. Balanced on the palate with a genteel rusticity and a savory tar and anise-laced finish. 90-91 points. (90 pts.) -
2004 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (9/12/2008)
14% alcohol. Earthy aromas of cured meats, dried currants and cherries, anise, and tobacco leaf. Mellow upon entry but nicely textured with a good deal of acidity. Dried cherries, dried cranberries, and black tea on the palate. Very easy to drink and perfect with pizza! 89-90 points. (89 pts.) -
2004 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (7/9/2007)
This is a terrific little barbera that can be had for the terrific little price of 18 bucks. Prepared rigatoni with spicy italian sausage and sundried tomatoes for dinner, so of course, I needed an Italian wine to go with it. And not surprisingly, it was perfect match. Sweet and savory notes of dried cherries, cranberries, herbs, earth, and sweet sundried tomatoes brought together in clean, well-delineated package with vibrant supporting acidity. I do have one caveat about this wine, however. I saved some of it to drink again on the next day, but for some reason, it seems to have lost most of its vibrancy and appeal on the second day. The flavors seemed muted and the bright acidity seemed to have been replaced by a sourness. So if you are going to pull a bottle of this wine, my recommendation is just to pop and pour and polish it off, because it seems to lose some of its charisma with a substantial amount of air. 89-90 points. (90 pts.)