Barbera 2018

Words used to describe Barbera 2018: supple, mid-weight, lighter. In 2018, rain was concentrated principally during the initial period, in the month of May, a critical moment in the growing season. Cool weather dominated the first half of 2018, but higher temperatures came and the good weather persisted through the harvest period.

I found the Barbera 2018 to be quite balanced, with good acidity and good fruit. Below are some of the Barbera’s I’ve recently tasted.

Barbera 2018 – Tasting Notes

Andrea Oberto Barbera d’Alba
100% Barbera, 3-4 months in 3rd passage oak (barrique), followed by aging in steel tanks. Good acidity, with lots of fruit. A very good Barbera.

Burlotto Barbera Aves
The Aves is quite high in alcohol, but you don’t feel it in the mouth.  Good acidity, with notes of cherries and dark fruit.

Cascina Fontana Barbera
Barbera, the Mario Fontana way! Aging 50% barrique, 50% cement for 12 months, blend after aging. Mario releases his Barbera after one year in bottle. A very fresh wine with good acidity. Notes of darker fruit and wet forest floor.

Cristian Boffa Barbera
100% Barbera from 3 different vineyards, with the age of the plants ranging from 15 to 50 years old. Aged 6-8 months in mostly used barrique. You can feel the alcohol a little on the nose and the mouth. Not your typical Barbera, probably because of the age of the vines. Notes of licorice on the nose.

Diego Morra Barbera
Aged 4-5 months in tonno, with a small percentage of new oak. Good acidity. Red fruit and cherry notes, with hints of oak. A mineral Barbera that’s quite round in the mouth.

Gianfranco Alessandria Barbera
Barbera 2018 has smaller character than 2017 and 2019. Notes of darker berries, like plum. A balanced wine with good acidity.

La Vedetta Barbera d’Asti Sarasino
A Barbera from Asti, with grapes coming from a hill called Sarasino. Red fruit and cherry notes. This Barbera has quite high acidity.

Marengo Barbera
You can feel the oak on the nose, not in the mouth. Notes of Strawberry on the nose. A very balanced Barbera with good structure and good acidity.

Vietti Barbera Tre Vigne
Beautiful nose with aromas of red cherry and fresh red fruit. Crisp with good acidity and good structure. A balanced wine with a long finish!