TNs on 12 barberas

[newsguy]

went to a tasting on saturday: 12 mid-range barberas for $10. this was my first major exposure to barberas. here are my tasting notes, in descending order of preferance:

1998 Sottimano d'Asti Pairolero ($22.99) Deep black, purple. Big complex nose of dark red fruits. Gobs of fruit plus chocolate in the mouth. A huge midpalate and a long, expanding finish. Plus a fairly heavy dose of tannins. Could use another 2-3 years, and I'm guessing could go 5-7. EXC.

1997 Mauro Veglio d'Alba Cascina Nuova ($24.99) Blackish burgundy. Very nice nose of earth, dark fruits, and a hint of tar - reminiscent of a bordeaux. Big fruit on the midpalate, with slight drying tannins. Drinking very nicely now, but could improve for another year or two. EXC.
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1998 Mauro Molina d'Alba Vigna Gattere ($24.99) Color of grape juice. Nose, tastes of berries and dark red fruits. Nice mouthfeel and finish. Medium tannins. Needs a couple years. VG++

1998 Giovanni Manzone d'Alba La Serra ($17.99) Blackish purple. Nice nose of plum and barnyard. Tastes of plum, perfume and bubble gum. VG+

1999 Luciano Sandrone d'Alba ($21.99) Black. Big nose and tastes of toast and dark fruits. VG+

2000 La Spinetta d'Asti Ca' di Pian ($21.99) Blackish purple. Nose of barnyard, tar and dark fruit. Tastes of cassis and bubble gum, with a light, elegant mouthfeel. Smelled like a bordeaux, tasted a lot like a California cab. VG+

1997 Clerico d'Alba Trevigne ($17.99) Blackish purple, brownish at the edges. Strong nose of barnyard, meat and wood. Smooth tastes of plum and a hint of cassis. VG+

1999 Bochis d'Alba Vigna le Masserie ($22.99) Blackish purple. Very grapey nose. Tastes of grape and bubble gum. Simple, but very tasty. VG

1997 Claudio Alario Barbera Valletta ($21.99) Brownish purple. Nose of grilled meats and plums. Seems to be at its peak. VG
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1997 Paitin d'Alba Campolive ($21.99) Blackish, with burgundy/brown at rim. Nose of smoky oak, plum and cherry. Rather diluted taste of berries that did expand a bit on the finish. Light mouthfeel. Smells better than it tastes. Good

2000 Elio Altare d'Alba ($16.99) Purple. Nose of prunes (strong) and licorice. Light fruit flavors. Good

1998 Azelia d'Alba Vigneto Punta ($22.99) Blackish purple, looking almost orange at the rim. Light grape and spice flavors. Decent, but nothing special.

The first two wines were by far my favorites of the day and the ones I purchased. I would definitely recommend them. The middle seven are quality wines and might be ones you like. I wouldn't bother with the last three.

So, the bottom line for me on barbera (at least at this price point) as a varietal is: It's a nice alternative to chiantis. But I would generally prefer to spend $20+ on a cab, syrah, zin, shiraz or bordeaux.