The 2006 Barbera d’Alba is a jewel. The wine sparkles with layers of vibrant dark fruit intermingled with sweet toasted oak, showinf outstanding length, purity and above all else, tons of class. This is a delicious wine from Luciano Sandrone. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014. This is a very strong set of entry-level wines from Luciano Sandrone, one of Piedmont’s top growers. In a region full of outspoken, colorful producers, Sandrone remains soft-spoken and rather shy, but his wines speak for themselves rather eloquently. Importer: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NJ tel. (914) 769-3000

Displays crushed berries on the nose, with hints of coffee and chocolate. Medium- to full-bodied, with a soft texture and a juicy, fruity aftertaste. This offers lots of subtle, beautiful fruit. Drink now. 1,860 cases made, 670 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add

Voluptuous yet serious, this aspirational bottling boasts dense black fruit underlined by notes of wet stones, cigar and coffee. Intense and big in the mouth. Drinking beautifully now but the bracing acidity will keep it fresh for several years.——W.E.(2/1/2010)—— 91