The 2003 Barbera d’Alba Scarrone Vigna Vecchia is even better than the d’Alba Scarrone. A deep, inky purple, the full-throttle yet supremely elegant Vecchie Vigne is an intense and massively concentrated Barbera that offers notes of toasted oak and licorice on the nose along with a plush core of super-ripe dark fruit, complemented by nuances of chocolate and tar, with outstanding persistence on the palate and great length. This is modern-styled, hedonistic Barbera at its very finest. Made from minuscule yields of less than 30 hectoliters per hectare and aged in barrique, over the last few years this bottling has become very pricey but it remains one of the most singular Barberas on the market. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2010. Importer: Remy Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2204

Big, rich aromas of crushed berries, smoke and licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of juicy fruit and a long, silky finish. This always shows a touch of class. Drink now. 350 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add