The Giuseppe Cortese 2017 Barbera d'Alba is weighed down by the dry and scorching hot conditions of the summer growing season. This wine sports a robust and expansive style even in the cooler years, so a hot vintage such as 2017 risks going overboard. This wine comes close to that line, but ultimately, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt (especially for near-term consumption). There is a point of sweetness on the close, but you also get Barbera's characteristic sourness too. Some 5,000 bottles were made.

A pretty red, boasting cherry, blackberry and black pepper flavors. Fresh and juicy, this extends the peppery note on the long finish. Drink now. 400 cases made, 300 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add