Sweet vanilla and toast notes from new oak are prominent in this red, with ripe, concentrated fruit and earth flavors underneath. Shows good balance overall, but needs short-term aging. Best from 2021 through 2025. 500 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Asti Select to Add

Lush not only in texture, but in the lavish use of new oak. The black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit is offset by vanilla and resinous flavors. Heavy-handed. For fans of the style. Drink now. 416 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Asti Select to Add

The 2010 Barbera d’Asti Superiore Epico is one of the most unusual wines I tasted this year. The Epico emerges from a parcel of 60-year-old vines. Part of the fruit is given 20 days or so of drying, while the rest of the fruit is left to hang until it reaches an advanced stage of maturity, an approach typical in some parts of Italy (Veneto comes to mind), but not Piemonte. As one might expect, the resulting wine is rich, voluptuous and deeply textured. Cinnamon, tobacco, dried flowers and plums are all woven together nicely. The 2010 possesses lovely depth and volume all the way through to the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Importer: Massanois Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 470-6769

A strong dose of new oak lends sweet spice and sawdust notes in addition to black cherry and blackberry flavors. Settles down by the finish, but a bit more time in the bottle will help. Fine length. Drink now through 2018. 112 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Asti Select to Add