Franco Serra Barbera d'Alba, 2020

Although the price has been creeping up, this is one of the least expensive Barberas on the market...and certainly the best value. I have enjoyed it year after year over the past decade or two.

Medium ruby with some garnet tones. Cherries, violets, chocolate, black pepper. Barbera acidity with a tannic backbone. A pleasant rustic texture. Some might find woody tones even though it was aged in stainless steel and has never seen oak. Doing quite well in its sixth year.

Franco Serra also has a good Nebbiolo d'Alba, a Barolo and a Barbaresco, all priced well below that of most competitors.

 

Villadoria Bricco Magno Langhe Nebbiolo, 2013

This Langhe Nebbiolo is made in the modern, international style--aged first in small new oak barrels and then in larger barrels until the winemaker is satisfied with the aroma and flavor profile. Even though I generally favor the traditional style (with aging in large Slavonian oak barrels), this wine definitely meets my standards for Nebbiolo.

Medium ruby, shading to garnet. Has all of the lovely scents of Nebbiolo: roses, violets, red berries. I don't detect any oak influenced aromas. Also has the Nebbiolo flavors I love: dark cherry, black licorice, pepper. Warm and full bodied. Fills the mouth with pleasure. Velvety texture and long, complex finish. Drinking in its prime at 13 years.
 

Angel Ranch Russian River Chardonnay, 2019

Russian River Valley has a cool, foggy climate that is conductive to growing good, agewothy Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. This Angel Ranch Chardonnay is showing very well in its seventh year.

Deep gold color, clear and bright. Lemon curd, vanilla, brown butter. Full bodied and fairly bold. Good legs climbing up the glass. Bright fruit aromas and flavors. Gets better as it warms and aerates. Not a very well known label; probably produced by Art+Farm Wines.
 

Trader Joe's Reserve Vinsobres, 2023

52% Grenache, 48% Syrah from Vinsobres grapes grown in the norrthern reaches of the Southern Rhone and produced by the cooperative at Tulette.

Bright and deep crimson color. Black raspberry, Provencal herbs, black licorice and pepper. Grenache friendly on the tongue with Syrah backbone. Medium plus body. Good fruit filled finish. Seems perfectly balanced. Hard to believe the 15% alcohol although that may show up with some heat in future years.

Probably does not not measure up to the Perrian Family's Les Cornud, but it's less than half the price ($9.99 at Trader Joe's in 2024).

 

Tornatore Etna Rosso, 2023

Made from Nerello Mascalese with a bit of Nerello Cappuccio grown on volcanic soils in the north of Italy, this wine captured my senses.

Medium deep ruby with some purple tints. Intense aromas of dark cherries, red berries and menthol. Similar fruit flavors but with savory notes. Dark tones of black truffle, pepper and smoke on the persistent finish. Has the depth and complexity of a mature wine, and who knows how much more it will have to offer in another 5 to 10 years

Left Foot Charley Old Mission Peninsula Blaufrankisch, 2023

One advantage of early dining (no later slots were available) at the excellent Amical restaurant in Traverse City is the Happy Hour 50% discount on full bottles of wine. We paid $22 for this bottle, which is less than its retail price at many wine stores. It was worth it plus plus.

Deep plummy violet color. Black raspberries, flowers, black licorice. This is a high acid wine, similar to Cab Franc, and it grows well in Michigan soil and cool climate. Plush texture. Medium body (13% alcohol). A very enjoyable wine to accompany my black pepper/truffle fettucine and Donna's French onion soup/ham and cheese tart.
 

Elio Sandri Barbera d'Alba Superiore, 2012

On tasting my first bottle of this wine on September 10, 2018, I said: "This wine has good balance even though it feels a bit aggressive on the palate right now. Five years from now? I can't wait." Actually, eight years later, it has developed into the robust but complex wine that I anticipated.

The color has lightened, much more amber now. Best at cellar temperature; I put it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, to bring back some of the tannins that had melted a bit over eight years. Once aggressive, it is now mellow with bright fruit smells and flavors. Red cherry, raspberry, black licorice. Ripe fruit on friendly mid-palate tannins. Signature Barbera acidity keeps it fresh and lively on medium-long finish. Unfortunately, this is my last bottle.