Recommendation: EXCELLENT value, DELICIOUS wine, give it a try.
Winery/Producer: Antonio Vallana; Maggiora, Italy.
Grape Variety: Barbera.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Piedmont, Italy.
Vintage: 2014
Price: $11.70 with a 10% mixed case discount.
Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Paired With: Whole wheat pasta with home made red sauce with eggplant and roasted tomatoes, Caesar style salad with lots of garlic
Tasting:
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He said: Opened 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, brick red/purple color with a light red rim. Heavy red berry and wet forest floor aromas (slight wisp of alcohol on the first pour and surprised to see only 13% on the label). Quite smooth, fairly light body; cherry, plum and slightly spicy taste. Although the finish was medium-length it was filled with flavor and ended on the tart side. GREAT paring with the dinner and at only $11.70 it’s a very good value. Lots of acidity to go with the tomato sauce, enough grip to the young tannins to make a nice finish and it’s easy drinking character clearly put it into our Quality wine at a Bargain price category. I can’t wait to pair it with pizza!!! EXCELLENT value, DELICIOUS wine, give it a try.
See also our blind tasting review of Vallana Campi Raudii 2012, Vallana Spanna 2012 and Vallana Gattinara 2006
She said: Very dark garnet red, opaque, with lots of legs rushing down. A subtle bouquet of red berry fruit led to a mouth-feel that was full of fruit flavor, very dry, and medium bodied. The tannins were grippy and dominated the finish. The wine was excellent with the dinner, even the salad and I would buy it again. It is quality wine at $15 but who wouldn’t be intrigued by a bottle with Carevagios’ Bacchus on the label? (Just kidding.)
Alcohol: 13%
UPC Code: NA
Imported by: Piedmont Wine Imports; Durham, North Carolina.
Photo from Vallana Wines.