Friday Sips

2013 OLIM BAUDA BARBERA D'ASTI SUPERIORE
'LE ROCCHETTE'
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK

The Bertollini family at Olim Bauda have become serious practitioners of Barbera wines and it is quite a thrill to see these nice folks receive heaps of praise for their wines from top to bottom. Le Rocchette is from the eponymous-named vineyard in Isole d'Asti whose vines were planted in 1950 and instantaneously one can discover that this wine steps it up a level or six from most 20 buck Barbera D'Asti wines.

‘The 2013 Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Rocchette is one of the best Barberas readers will find for the money. Dense, juicy and flavorful, the 2013 is flat-out delicious. A host of dark red cherry, raspberry jam, spice and mint notes punctuate the bold, juicy finish. Expressive aromatics add an attractive upper register. – 92 POINTS, VINOUS’

2014 VIETTI BARBERA D'ASTI
'TRE VIGNE'
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE

For years, we have waxed on about superstar Luca Currado of Vietti. His efforts running this fabled estate have been nothing short of magnificent. Whether it be Single Cru Barolo, Arneis, Barbera, Nebbiolo or Moscato, quality soars on all levels and as Luca says ‘something for everyone’s price level.’

In this corner, we have the new vintage of the Vietti BarberaTre Vigne version from the Asti region. A fast-moving, but sculpted boxer that has a real no-quit attitude…think Sugar Ray Leonard! Always exciting and always one of the top values of Barbera, this wine comes from vineyards that range from seven to 70+ years old. As usual, this wine delivers the goods in such a personable manner. Vintage 2014 delivered a classically formed, very handsome version of this perennial Cellar Door favorite. Rocking with aromas of cocoa, black raspberry, and tangy earth that intermingle nicely with allspice scents from Luca's thoughtful use of oak. Densely flavored with excellent complexity in the mouth. Robust, chewy and way above average for a Barbera at this price! Everything integrates nicely on the lingering, pleasing finish. Bravissimo to Luca Currado for once again producing a wine for under 20 bucks that makes you feel as though you are drinking something that costs a lot more!

2013 MASSOLINO BARBERA D'ALBA
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE

The name Massolino has been an important one within the Barolo village of Serralunga since they arrived in 1896. Since the 1990s, Franco and Roberto Massolino arrived and they have taken this estate to impressive levels with their entire range of wines that can often defy the stereotype of this village.

The Barbera from this apex estate has been produced since day one (1896) and the 2013 is so utterly gorgeous. From vineyard sites within the Barolo zone of Serralunga, this wine is dreamy, soulful and confidentially Piemonte with fresh uplifting red cherry that is quickly joined by camphor and a deep dark earthy, dense clay characteristic that screams Alba. Spice, anisette, porcini and juicy blueberry join in the mouth creating a supple, round and giving glass of real wine. This is the perfect red for all occasions with aged mountain cheeses, grilled meat or mushroom pasta courses. Drinking well right now and will continue to please over the next 4-6 years.

2015 LA MANARINE
COTES-DU-RHONE ROSE
$14.99 BTL./$179.88 CASE

Cotes-du-Rhone wines come in all shapes sizes and colors. Best known for its red wines, this region produces minuscule amounts of white wines and then quite a bit of Rose because 95% of what is under vine are red grapes. There are two different methods to make Cotes-du-Rhone Rose (and all Rose for that matter. Both of these techniques have their merits. One method is to take the grapes that are destined for red wines that are to be pressed after their primary fermentation and bleed the juice off. This is called saignee, or to bleed, and results in a rose that has ample fleshy aspects and is usually quite frontal and darker in appearance. These can be very intriguing and complex but as a rule of thumb, are to be consumed on the early side…but there are always exceptions. The method for the La Manarine’s Rose is direct press, meaning the wines stay on their skins for a few hours to garner color and then are immediately pressed off and virtually treated as a white wine. Often times, superb grapes, those designated by a vigneron specifically, are destined for their Rose. These versions often attain excellent energy and cut along with plenty of depth and dimension. These wines also have the ability to develop and show even more in their second and sometimes third years.

Domaine La Manarine is from the Plan de Dieu area in Provence that is the true spiritual home of Côtes-du-Rhône wines. On this plain, it is solely CDR sans village labels or other AOP designations. A young, familial Domaine of 40 acres in a sea of grapes created by Gilles Gasq in 2001, these wines have been quite impressive in their short history. The 2015 version is our first foray into Monsieur Gasq’s pink wine. Blended with 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre it is a bit like holding a nine-iron up in a lightning storm! Prominent scents of cherry-pit, fig, anise and flint consistently build as it sits in the glass and carries over to a texture that fills the mouth with impressive material then totally sweeps the entire palate clean with vivid briskness as it goes down. Try it with goat cheese slathered in Mediterranean herbs and olive oil, salads or seafood pasta dishes.