Villa Giado Barbera d'Asti

[Innkeeper]

1998 Villa Giada, Ajan (short for Agliano), Barbera D'Asti (D.O.C.), Superiore ($15.00). One of Roberto's. This is a really big (tempted to say huge) barbera at 13.5% alcohol. It was wonderful. Deep, dark, almost purple but still red color, it showed jammy fruit on the nose. Another blast of fruit upfront, earthy complexity and smooth tannin on the palate, and a kick in the arse in the finish. Highly recommended. Had it with ham slabs dusted with granulated garlic, dipped in beaten egg, coated on both sides with sliced almonds, sauteed in butter; with the pan degalazed with a half cup of cream whisked with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, poured over the ham. A nice accompaniment of the last Italian green beans in the freezer boiled down in chicken stock, butter, savory, salt, & pepper; made for a delightful meal.