Giacomo Borgogno Barbera D’Alba Superiore 2010, Doc, Piedmont, Italy

This is the style of Barbera which strongly appeals to my palette. This wine opened up with aromas of sour cherry, plum, pomegranate, dried violet and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, dry, smooth texture, firm acidity and fine dusty tannins. Good length and very pleasant on the finish with flavours of sweet and sour fruit and savoury spices. This wine is 100% Barbara, maturation for 12 months in oak barrels and alcohol coming in at 13.5%. This 2010 vintage is a much stronger effort, better balance than the 2009 vintage. The 1% reduction in alcohol makes for a much fresher and more enjoyable, prettier Barbera. Great value and strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased November 10, 2012 LCBO New Release (285486) at $19.95

Giacomo Borgogno Barbera d'Alba 2009, Piedmont, Italy

This deep ruby colour Barbara is a product of the warm 2009 vintage. The nose reveals very ripe berry fruit, plums, cedar, sweet spices. Medium to full body, with a huge 14.5% alcohol content, especially for a Barbera, with fresh acidity, smooth tannins and rich mouthfeel.The finish is long, with white pepper, sweet and sour fruit. A more robust body than is characteristic of a Barbera, however it has enough acidity and tannins to balance all that fruit. All and all, very enjoyable. Recommended.

This wine was purchased at the SAQ on June 11, 2011 at $18.40.