Winery: Villa Terlina

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: Gradale

Wine Category: Barbara D’Asti

Grape blend: 100% Barbara

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Piedmont

State or country: Italy

Price: $20.00

ABV: 14.9%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  89 points

Review date: January 25, 2020

About the Winemaker:  Barbara is not one of the more commonly celebrated grapes from Italy.  While perhaps overshadowed in name, it can certainly stand on its own in complexity and character.  Villa Terlina over time has received quite a few positive reviews and awards. Perhaps the greatest recognition they have received is their growing reputation among those who have found their wines.

Color:  Deep purple with a pink rim

Nose:  Blackberry, honeysuckle, and oak.

Taste: Cherry, oak, cassis, and blackberry. Finish: sustained with plum and oak.

Assessment:  Soft acidity balanced with oak tannins is the story with this one.  While the tasting highlights of this wine are fairly typical for an old world Italian red wine, typical here equals fantastic.  The juice has nice character; the grapes were obviously picked with timing and care.  There is a slight hint of raisin, which serves to elevate the wine rather than overwhelm the palate- which heavy raisin notes sometimes can do.  Additionally, a price around $20 makes this a fantastic value.

This bottle was 11 years old when I opened it, while it is ready to drink now, a couple more years aging would have been ok as well.

Villa Terlina “Grandale” is a very good wine.  89 points.