The 2005 Barbera d’Alba Valbianchera possesses plenty of dark fruit beautifully woven with smoke, earthiness, licorice, tar and sweet toasted oak. This perfumed Barbera offers superb clarity and freshness in an inviting and highly pleasing style. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012. Giovanni Almondo is a reference-point producer for Arneis, Barbera and Roero. I am amazed this producer isn’t better known considering the high quality of the wines here. Readers looking for value-priced wines from Almondo may want to take a look at Issue 178. Importer: Vin Divino, Ltd., Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700