This historic Barbera opens with blackberry compote, spiced black plums, cedar and sweet spices. The opulent palate shows notes of macerated cherry, anise, clove and cocoa, with polished and elegant tannins. The wine ends with vibrant acidity that keeps this big, bold and beautiful wine fresh with each glass. Drink 2025–2035.
Editors' Choice

A smooth red, saturated with plum, blueberry, loam and toasty oak flavors. Reveals assertive tannins on the finish, yet this has ample fruit and the lingering finish shows its future potential. Drink now through 2030.

One of the bottles that made the history of Italian wine, the Braida 2020 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone shows a dark and savory side with ripe cherry, baked plum, spice, tarry smoke and campfire ember. With time, those aromas soften and reorganize to resemble espresso bean or baking chocolate. There is a lot of concentration and fruit weight here, and you need that texture to offset the very high 16.5% alcohol content.

Notes of crushed dark berries, chocolate, cured meat and dark earth. Medium- to full-bodied, juicy and fresh with tension and energy to the dark fruit. Vivid acidity. Chalky and intense finish. Very attractive. Drink or hold.