Schiavenza Barbera d'Alba, 2018

I bought this wine from Garagiste.com for less than $10 a bottle, and reviews on Cellar Tracker showed conflicting views. My first go at the wine also put some doubts in my mind, but, by the time the bottle was empty, I concluded that this is a good wine and an excellent value.

Medium garnet, showing more age than I would expect from a young Barbera. I also detect some volatile acidity and an off note in the smells and flavors but these gradually subside as the wine airs and warms. Some nice cherry'rhubarb notes emerge along with some earth and leather. Seems mature for its age and a tad rustic, but I like it and will make a note to drink it over the next several years rather than the next decade.