Bava Piano Alto di Crena Nizza Barbera, 2014

I didn't know Barbera could be so good--at least not until a few months ago when I tried the Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Bersani Family Nizza. I loved the wine and, for $14.99, I stocked up and put Nizza on my radar. 

This wine from Bava illustrates what I surmised:at the time: Nizza Barbera is a serious wine built for aging. As recently as 2014, Nizza was first given DOCG appellation  status in Piedmont. Over many years wine producers and experts discovered that Barbera grows very well in Nizza and, as a result, the grape is given some of the best vineyard sites and  appropriate cellar treatment.

Beautiful deep, dark ruby with some amber creeping in at the rim. Has been aged in large upright casks. Exotic perfume of red and black currants, tobacco and black pepper. Every bit as inviting as a good Barolo or Barbaresco. Flavors are sweet on first taste but develop over time, becoming savory, almost salty. Barbera level acidity with deep and complex fruit.