1998 Vietti Barbera d'Alba Scarrone

[RAD]

This ain't your father's barbera, and it shouldn't be, at $35 a bottle. Mind-blowing single-vineyard bottling. Deep, inky purple-black color. Initial nose of rose petals and violets, followed by wet earth, cherry, and tar. Typical barbera acidity, a glycerin-like mouthfeel, and silky-smooth tannins.

This is the third 1998 Italian red I've had which has been every bit the equal of the 1997s.

RAD

[mrdutton]

I'll bet this would go nicely with BRASCIOLE IL BALSAMICO ITALIANO. I make mine with beef.

[winecollector]

I'm also suprised with the 98's I've opened so far. I didn't expect them to be as good as the 97's, and I'm glad that I was wrong! Anyone know how the so-called experts rated the 98 vintage? As far as I'm concerned, looks like it's going to be another case stocking year for my cellar....

[Botafogo]

Re "so called experts": Last night we had dinner with an amazing Champagne Grower and among the other guests was the Editor/Publisher of a major food and wine oriented rag who also contributes to scores of other publications. He was COMPLETELY ignorant of any quality zones or producers in Italy (which he visits regularly on other peoples dimes) outside of Toscana, Piedmonte and the Veneto (and he was a little shaky there)! He dismissed our discussion of lengendary winemakers Eduardo Valentini and Emedio Pepe with "but it's Montepulciano d'Abruzzi, how good could it be?" like he was your blue haired auntie saying "but, son, it's just Jazz....I'm sure Mr. Davis is a fine trumpeter but its not serious music, try some Beethoven". It was FRIGHTENING!!!!!!!!

He also admitted without shame to "never buying any wine so I have no idea about retailers or the marketplace" and "nearly dying of shame when forced to fly coach". This is a relevant taste maker for American wine drinkers????

And people wonder why we rant about the press so much, Roberto

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 10-25-2000).]