G.B. Russo & Sons was an institution for more than 100 years in Southwest Michigan, offering an excellent selection of wines and international food. I visited the store frequently and in recent years depended on Dave Russo's email Wine Buyers' Guide for excellent wine values. Sadly, G.B. Russo & Sons is no longer, with the facility being taken over by MegaBev. Fortunately, Dave's Wine Buyers' Guide continues, and that is where I obtained this very good Barbera. Dave knows Italian wines, and he also knows how to seek out good closeout bargains from distributors and other stores. Produced by a cooperative in the Piedmont, Terramata Barbera d'Alba typically sells for about $15 a bottle, a good value. Through the Wine Buyers' Guide, I picked up a case for $5.99 a bottle--an even better value.
Bright, medium deep ruby red. Sumptuous smells and flavors of red berries, cherries and vanilla with a hint of almonds. Excellent balance on the palate with good fruit and no hard edges. The wine is very good now and should age well over the next five years or so. Terramata is actually an alternative label for the Pertinace Barbera I obtained from Costco ($12.99) and reviewed here on September 16 of this year. The Pertinace was a 2018; this 2017 is less tannic and has better balance.
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