Aromas of cherry chocolate, dark licorice, hints of bark and moist earth. Full-bodied with velvety, supple tannin structure and some chalky texture in the finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink now.

The 2020 Barbera d'Asti Montebruna is a plump and rich red with ripe berry notes, toasted spice, cinnamon and grilled Mediterranean herb. Despite the heft and brawn of this wine, the mouthfeel is pushed along by fresh acidity and a powerful 15% alcohol content. This is perfect companion to a meal heavy in cheese or cream.

With a beautifully saturated dark color and lots of generous cherry and blackberry, there's a lot packed into this bottle of Braida 2018 Barbera d'Asti Montebruna. The fruit is plump, succulent and packed tight. Montebruna is distinguished by its bright acidity and you get lots of that here too. This is always a terrific wine. Plus, this production of about 90,000 bottles carries a great price for this category.

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.

The 2014 Barbera d'Asti Montebruna is a fresh and easy expression. The wine offers bright fruit in a very likable and less formal package. Primary fruit aromas of black cherry and blackberry give the wine softness and sweet intensity. The mouthfeel reinforces this impression thanks to its soft layers and its natural succulence. Barbera d'Asti is one of Italy's most food-friendly wines. It pairs with pizza, pasta and meat. In other words, it is a full menu wine.