The 2009 Barbera d’Alba is once again gorgeous. Silky tannins frame a core of expressive dark red fruit in this fleshy, seamless Barbera. This isn’t a blockbuster, but rather a wine built on refinement. Year in year out Correggia’s Barbera is one of the great values in Piedmont. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. Even with the recent emergence of a number of growers in Roero, Correggia remains a reference-point winery. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Matteo Correggia’s untimely passing. In a decade that has seen such a huge explosion of quality in Piedmont and Roero it is only natural to wonder what kind of wines Correggia might be making if he were alive today. But you can’t live in the past, and the reality is that this is a very fine set of wines from the estate. As is often the case, many of the true jewels lie among the simpler offerings.Various American importers, including: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119, AHAWines, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 806-4472, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411

Rich and densely textured, exhibiting black cherry, blackberry, bittersweet chocolate and spice notes. Picks up a cracked pepper note on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2016. 1,800 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbera d'Alba Select to Add