Braida

92 - BIGOTTA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

Deep and dark, this red exhibits a well of plum, black currant and blackberry flavors, accented by spice and smoke. Vibrant acidity drives the finish. Drink now through 2021. 600 cases made.

93 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

A dense and brooding red, this displays rich black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and chocolate aromas and flavors. Not as fluid as some of its peers, but complex, solid and long. Drink now through 2024. 5,000 cases made.

90 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2016

A powerful, concentrated style, packed with black cherry, blackberry, spice and leather flavors, revealing flashes of toasty oak. Moves like a linebacker on the palate, yet hangs together nicely. Best from 2020 through 2026. 5,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

90 - MONTEBRUNA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

A fresh red, this delivers violet, black cherry, blackberry and earth flavors. Ends with dense tannins and a long finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,000 cases made.

91 - MONTEBRUNA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2016

A bright, succulent style, with vibrant acidity driving the black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors. Dense yet balanced, offering a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,000 cases made, 500 cases imported.

Braida

90 - AI SUMA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2009

C: 32 - B: 30 - I: 28
VP: 6.4 - QQ: 7.72 - ACQ: 7.06

90 - BRACHETTO D'ACQUI DOCG 2019

C: 31 - B: 30 - I: 29

96 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2016

C: 33 - B: 31 - I: 32
VP: 7.23 - QQ: 9.52 - ACQ: 8.38

93 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

C: 33 - B: 29 - I: 31
VP: 7 - QQ: 9.22 - ACQ: 8.11

92 - LA MONELLA BARBERA DEL MONFERRATO DOC 2019

C: 32 - B: 29 - I: 31
VP: 8.8 - QQ: 9.88 - ACQ: 9.34

91 - LIMONTE GRIGNOLINO D'ASTI 2019

C: 30 - B: 29 - I: 32

Decanter

Braida

95 -BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

An explosion of black berry ,sandalwood and sweet spices on the nose . Exuberant fruit reinforced by steely acidity on the palate, finally woven oak tennis and a long finish , which is pure wild berries and violets. Drink 2018-2025.

Braida

90 - BRAIDA, BIGOTTA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

A fruity Barbera with blackberry and chocolate character. Medium body, medium chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink now.

93-BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

Extremely pretty bouquet here of brambleberry bush, chocolate, mocha-scented oak and cocoa. Full body, refreshing acidity, some really nice structure and a chewy finish. Drink now

90 - MONTEBRUNA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

A tangy and minerally red with lemon, blackberry and hazelnut character. Medium body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.

Braida

95 - AI SUMA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

Here's a wine that seems to have absorbed the heat and bounty of the vintage with great success. The Braida 2017 Barbera d'Asti Ai Suma offers terrific balance and tension. There is a lot of black fruit here to be sure, and you taste pretty oak spice, tar and leather from the aging process. The wine finishes with a point of sweetness, like a candied cherry aroma, but the natural acidity of the grape kicks in to add a pinch of freshness on the close, making you seriously consider a risotto with porcini.

93 - BIGOTTA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

The Braida 2017 Barbera d'Asti Bricco della Bigotta shows a lot of ripe fruit that is very much in line with this vintage that saw extra heat and drought. Across the region, vintners reported smaller berry sizes with dense and more-concentrated fruit. There is a lot to take in here, as the wine is rich, super concentrated and packed tight with plummy dark fruit flavor. It ends with some tannic bite that is also in line with the characteristics of the vintage.

95 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2016

Here's an Italian icon in all its glory. The Braida 2016 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is a layered and rich expression of Barbera. This wine has benefitted from a few extra years of bottle age to show elegant and integrated results. The bouquet reveals seamless transitions with dark fruit, spice and dried blackberry. It sits firmly on the palate, imparting ample textural richness and lasting fruit flavors. However, the main takeaway here is the bright acidity that is always at the top of any Barbera playlist. That freshness breaks apart the wine's texture and dark fruit, giving it the latitude to pair with a cream or butter-heavy dish.

94 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

One of the wines that changed the modern history of Italian wine, this expression from Braida is an evergreen favorite. The 2017 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is a dark and almost impenetrable expression with bold layers of thick, dark fruit. The wine is constructed like a little tower, layer upon layer, that rises tall with momentum and power. The intensity is beautiful, and that's always been the defining trait of Uccellone. It drinks
beautifully now, but it will hold its own in the cellar.

92 - MONTEBRUNA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

Here's a wild, full-bodied expression of Barbera. This native grape of Piedmont loves the heat, and it got exactly that in this dry vintage. Barbera from Asti always holds its own in terms of acidity, and that quality is very important in a vintage like this. The Braida 2017 Barbera d'Asti Montebruna comes off as a very balanced wine. It shows loads of character, and that tart, acidic freshness tapers out and prolongs the mouthfeel. A pasta with cream, onion and sausage would be right in line here. This is a terrific value buy

WE

92 -AI SUMA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2016

This opens with mature black plum, cooking spice, toasted oak and underbrush aromas. The bold, full-bodied palate offers raspberry jam, cherry marinated in spirits, vanilla and tobacco alongside velvety tannins. Drink through 2025.

93 - BIGOTTA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

Aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, clove and ground pepper mingle with fragrant blue flowers and a whiff of toast. Concentrated and savory, the full-bodied palate doles out blackberry jam, mature Marasca cherry and exotic spices. Velvety tannins lend finesse, while fresh acidity keeps it light on its feet.

92 - BIGOTTA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

Aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, scorched earth and baking spice emerge from the glass. The full-bodied, concentrated palate offers Marasca cherry, ripe black plum, black pepper and star anise. Drink through 2025.

93 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2013

Bricco dell’Uccellone is an historic wine that shaped the modern history of Barbera d’Asti and Piedmont in general. Aged 15 months in oak casks, the wine is bountiful and harmonious with aromas of cherry, blackberry and spice. There’s a bright splash of crisp fruit on the close

94 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2014

One of Italy's most iconic wines, this structured red opens with heady aromas of red berry, menthol and dark spice. Those alluring qualities carry over to the full-bodied, inviting palate, along with raspberry compote and licorice notes. Firm yet velvety tannins and bright acidity provide balance and the structure to age. Drink 2019 - 2029.

95 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

93 - BRICCO DELL'UCCELLONE BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2015

Enticing aromas of mature black-skinned berry, violet, new leather and graphite emerge from the glass. The powerful, concentrated palate offers blackberry jam, ripe black cherry and black pepper alongside fine-grained, enveloping tannins. The rich fruit flavors counterbalance the warmth of alcohol. Enjoy through 2026.

91 - MONTEBRUNA BARBERA D'ASTI DOCG 2017

Aromas of violet, black cherry and underbrush lead the way. The big, savory palate offers blackberry jam, tobacco and licorice alongside tightly-knit, polished tannins. Drink through 2024.