La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti 2009 Wine Review

Another new wine for me! This one is an Italian I had the pleasure of learning about on a girls night wine tasting, Spinetta Barbera d'Asti 2009. It's a new grape for me, too. The Barbera grape sounds like it is Italy's answer to California's Cabernet Sauvignon. It's hearty, highly adaptable to various terroir, and provides consistent quality and yield. It has a food friendly profile, yet is equally enjoyable on its own. Barbera is believed to have originated in the hills of Monferrato in central Piemonte, Italy, where it has been known from the thirteenth century. However, some persone malvagie brought it down in the 1980s by mixing it with methanol, causing over 30 deaths and other serious injury for many victims. But, it's making a comeback. I watched a video on Wall Street Live in which a critic raved about a Barbera wine at $75/bottle. Mama mia!! I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse. This one is delicious for half that amount!

If you're impressed by the legs of a wine, you'll like this one. It's dark ruby with purple tinges on the edge. On the nose, I was able to pick up earthy lavender, tea and red fruit, like raspberries and very ripe plums. The earthiness is carried into the flavor with some balsamic cherry, nutmeg, cocoa and tobacco. It opens up really well, with a smooth mouthfeel and a wonderful clean finish.

The label has a mythical rhinoceros on it, for which the vineyard's website gives no explanation other than "because..." I love that! It's so Italian to me!

Wine Spectator rated it 90. Most consumer reviews I read placed it in 88-90. I agree with the high marks. 14% alcohol, so it's no lightweight. And, while I didn't drink it with food, I can't imagine it not working with anything. However, in my mind, I thought this is a wine I would want to share with my besties while sitting around a spread of hors d'oeuvres making small talk, connecting and celebrating friendship. Yeah! It's that kind of wine. For about $30/bottle. Cint'anni! Ciao!