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. — 15 days ago

Douglas Braun

8.9

2019 Vintage -surprisingly good for a $16 /wine earthy berry fruit , holiday spice (nutmeg, clove) medium low tannins — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A really attractive medium ruby in the glass with thin, purple edges. Right out of the gate, you can smell the stemmy character of the wine. Plenty of herbs and characteristic Pinot underbrush happening here. Really pretty floral notes come in and really take things to a new level. Red cherries, raspberries, and muted wild strawberries. A nice bit of spice and smoke wafts from the glass after a little air. On day 2, this holds up quite well with a little light chocolate and more expressive fruit.

100% whole cluster fruit and tiny production. Medium bodied and all natural in every way. Purity of fruit is high here and this is a very terroir driven Pinot. Blessedly low alcohol at 13.5 and showing nice balance at this age, even though this is definitely one to cellar. The palate follows the nose with fresh red fruit and spice up front. More savory notes come through as it grows in the glass. One of my favorite Pinots of this year, easily.
— 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Delicious and drinking beautifully right now. Nose is a beautiful amalgam of dark red fruit and classic Mourvèdre tree bark, along with dry loamy scents. Deep and rich in the mouth, but the balance is impeccable. Loads of very soft tannin cling the flavors to the mouth. Acids are medium low but enough to balance. Very nice. — 6 months ago

Jayna Fontenot

9.8

Orange-pink color and has a delicate scent of flowers and red fruit. Soft, floral, low acid, minerals, and a nice finish. Love love love. Possibly my favorite rosé this year. — 3 years ago

Bill Mowry

9.1

Leather, tobacco, black and red fruit. Low alcohol and easy drinking. — 4 years ago

with Amelia and Lou

Tom Garland

9.2

3 hour decant(decent chunky/cloudy sediment). Checking in on the hyped 05 vintage! A phenomenal dark ruby garnet color with little signs of aging. On the nose: Nice nose of red fruit, graphite, floral, crushed rocks, cedar, menthol, and toasty vanilla. Taste: smooth, dry full body wine with black fruit, leather, cassis, anise, earth, and a bitter chocolate dry long finish. Still a little austere with some firm tannnis hanging on wanting a few more years to soften. A better score to come???Hopefully!! — 5 years ago

with Brenda

Clay Atwood

9.0

Definitely a cab with good tannins. Nose of plum and leather. Dry forward flavors with a little tartness. Middle flavors are tart cherries with nice tannins. A bit lacking in the after flavors leaving me hanging a bit. Overall a good wine but could have a little fruit in the front/ middle flavors and more lingering flavor in the end. — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Night two at Bern’s. We’re going for some incremental age tonight. Chosen for its good color, despite a low fill. Reddish tawny color, a bit cloudy, and has a high pitched nose at first. Notes of red fruit, cedar and cranberries initially. With more air, the nose settles down to show more Bordeaux character including dusty earth, wood desk and gravel stone. This blossomed after 30 or so minutes, then began to decline. At peak it had a 95 point nose. Overall it was a great experience. — 3 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.3

Very floral nose of rose, lavender, and honeysuckle. The palate features more floral notes (rose water and lavender), honey, lemon, pear nectar, Asian pear, quince, gunpowder, minerals, and star fruit. Medium low alcohol and high acid. So much going on. — 4 years ago

with Susan