Just Grapes

Apr
6

Idlewild “The Bird Flora & Fauna Red” 2015

The exploration of California’s alternative and forgotten finds is in full maturity. Wine lists in San Francisco’s Mission district are replete with such offerings, the best of which are delicious,

Posted in: $20 and under, Barbera, Californian Wine, Dolcetto, Highly Recommended Values, Nebbiolo, San Francisco, Very Good | By

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Mar
25

Braida Bricco dell’Uccellone Barbera d’Asti 2011

Barbera has been troubled for some years. The trouble began with the success of Braida’s single vineyard bottling Bricco dell’ Uccellone in 1982, which reshaped the image of Barbera by

Posted in: $100+, Barbera, Excellent, Italian Wine, Marquis Wine Cellars | By

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Aug
21

Cascina Val del Preta “Carolina” Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2009

I am not usually a fan of Barbera – even the ‘upper echelon’ stuff. I find it often marred by overuse of new oak and lacking the finesse, complexity and

Posted in: $20-$30, Barbera, Italian Wine, San Francisco, Very Good | By

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Feb
19

La Stoppa Macchiona 2005

La Stoppa has become quite an important producer in Emilia-Romagna. But it was not always so. The estate began as the pet project of a wealthy lawyer who decided that

Posted in: $60+, Barbera, Bonarda, Italian Wine, Liberty Wine Merchants, Very Good | By

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Jun
20

Vietti Barbera d’Alba ‘Scarrone’ 2006

Barbera is a difficult grape to consolidate into a single stylistic character. It varies from traditional bright and fruit driven high acid styles to richer, darker, more brooding oak aged

Posted in: $60+, Barbera, Excellent, Italian Wine | By

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Dec
21

La Spinetta Ca’ Di Pian Barbera D’Asti 2006

Piedmont lovers tend to be fanatical about that region’s most renowned grape, nebbiolo – and for good reason. Nebbiolo produces some of the world’s greatest “monster” wines that still retain

Posted in: $30-$40, Barbera, Italian Wine, Very Good | By

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Nov
23

Prunotto ‘Castamiole’ Barbera d’Asti 2000

I decided recently to skip over a bunch of my older tasting notes and start writing about wines I was actually drinking around the time of posting. I find it

Posted in: $60+, Barbera, Excellent, Italian Wine | By

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Aug
31

Massena Barbera 2006

One usually does not associate Barbera with Australia, but they seem to manage to grow pretty much any grape down under. I thought this one would be worth a try

Posted in: $30-$40, Australian Wine, Barbera, Very Good | By

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Feb
4

Beni Di Batasiolo Barbera D’Alba Sovrana 2005

Today was another pasta day, which called for another simple rustic Italian wine. I chose a Barbera D’Alba from Beni Di Batasiolo to match my Fettucine con Osso Buco made

Posted in: $20-$30, Barbera, Italian Wine, Very Good | By

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