Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Barba – i Vasari “Old Vines” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2022
Abruzzo, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
From one of Abruzzo’s most respected family producers, the Barba i Vasari Old Vines embodies the soulful depth of mature Montepulciano vineyards. Crafted from low-yielding old vines rooted in clay-limestone soils, this DOC wine bridges intensity and elegance, a fine showcase of what Abruzzo can achieve when tradition meets restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark cherries, black plum, and crushed violets lead the way, followed by nuances of black pepper, cocoa, and a touch of sweet tobacco. Hints of dried herbs and vanilla complete the aromatic frame.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, silky in texture yet structured with supple tannins. There’s a satisfying balance between ripe dark fruit and savory spice, culminating in a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Perfect with lasagna alla bolognese, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, or aged pecorino.

Verdict
A beautiful expression of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, intense yet approachable, generous but never overbearing. Old vines deliver concentration and charm in equal measure. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The “i Vasari” vineyards trace their origins to the 1700s and sit near Pescara, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. This position brings cool coastal breezes that preserve acidity even in warmer years.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A deliciously balanced Montepulciano that delivers both depth and drinkability. A genuine Italian gem I’d pour confidently for any gathering of Italian wine lovers. — 17 days ago

Kristina A.

8.9

I'm not a Chardonnay fan but this was good, didn't taste like the usual. (taste at Brandt's in May) — 4 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

The whites from Van Westen are often overlooked under the shadow of their excellent reds. This grigio is excellent though. This wine is real and without gimmicks. That almost makes it an exception for Pinot Gris in Naramata. Genuine and well made. A very nice glass of wine with the mineral, lemon, and sage in perfect balance. — 6 years ago

with Anita

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Great Bordeaux blend. Black pepper, blackberry, forest like almost umami like wood, really interesting. Decent tannin. Great everyday wine. I could see it pairing with a lot. — 2 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Truly genuine wine
Dark plumpy fruit, spicy, deeply intricated complexity. Lovely tannin and a promise to improve year by year for long time.
A wine to love and wait to understand its magic though already extremely enjoyable — 4 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.1

The Wine Pontiff has been a bit too harsh on this one, IMHO...

Plummy fruit, licorice, grilled vegetables, mocha, touches of toast, leather and forestfloor characterize this lovely, genuine, trustworthy and affordable Pomerol.
Medium body, medium length.l, I quite liked it. — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

Genuine Northern Rhone aromas, balanced and layered. Excellent wine. — 6 years ago

Paul T HB

9.6

Inexpensive enough to pop one straight off the truck after its week long journey from the east coast. Right there with the 16, less botrytis than the 14 & 15 which is what I was hoping for.

VM94
Rated 94 by Vinous Media
The 2017 Viré-Clessé, which will be bottled at the beginning of 2022, has a killer nose with an almost Germanic feel, intense nectarine, melon and damp earthy scents with just a hint of petrol. The palate is beautifully balanced with a line of acidity keeping everything taut and linear. The 2017 is a little waxy in texture with orange rind, stem ginger and white pepper furnishing the very persistent finish. This is superb - a Viré-Clessé with genuine substance and longevity.
Winery
100% Chardonnay. Bongran is Thévenet's original home estate (Domaine de Roally, also in Viré-Clessé, was added later). Cuvée Tradition is its single bottling of dry white wine (in certain vintages, a sweet botrytized wine is made). The old vines are organically farmed and harvested manually and notably late at a very high ripeness level. The grapes are pressed very slowly and gently. After settling, the juice is fermented in tank with indigenous yeasts, very slowly, taking up to two years to finish; there are often a few grams of residual sugar remaining in the wine. The wine is aged in tank only, then in bottle for several years before release. It has an extraordinary richness of flavor and texture along with firm acidity and minerality. — 4 years ago

Sarah Klompstra

8.9

Decent weekday red blend — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Love how it mellowed over time — 6 years ago