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originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Brovia Barbera Sori del Drago : should this be a $50 Barbera, or does it give the lie to those others? Since it wasn't mentioned, I can only imagine that it wasn't among the twenty selected for the tasting panel.

Brovia is underpriced across the board, because it doesn't have the same recognition amongst collectors as G. Conterno or Bartolo Mascarello. Nor is Brovia as well known within Italy itself. The vast majority of Brovia bottles are exported (biggest customer? that would be Neal Rosenthal). To be honest, Brovia doesn't have the same track record as G. Conterno or Bartolo, either. Brovia being at the level of quality that it is is a somewhat recent phenomenon.

There was no Brovia in the tasting that I recall (there were a couple corked bottles that were removed from the lineup and replaced by other wines).
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
Good job. Is Café Boulud the new gig?

I'm at Bar Boulud (B, not C) until harvest time comes around. Which is to say, for about 5 weeks from now. All are welcome, of course.

Thank you for inviting all of us to go to Piemonte with you for the harvest, 'twill be a bottiful of monkeys, no doubt.
 
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
originally posted by SFJoe:
Is $50 Barbera worse than $100 Chateauneuf?

Since, with a couple of exceptions, $100 Chateauneufs are notably ghastly, I certainly hope not.
It used to be almost axiomatic that expensive Barbera was bad Barbera, but it's tougher to say now.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:
originally posted by SFJoe:
Is $50 Barbera worse than $100 Chateauneuf?

Since, with a couple of exceptions, $100 Chateauneufs are notably ghastly, I certainly hope not.
It used to be almost axiomatic that expensive Barbera was bad Barbera, but it's tougher to say now.
I do think it's probably accurate to say that expensive barbera can be very good *wine* but almost never delivers what you're in the mood for when you're in the mood for barbera. That includes G. Conterno's for sure.
 
originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Brovia Barbera Sori del Drago : should this be a $50 Barbera, or does it give the lie to those others?

well, I paid $15 for mine but haven't yet taken delivery. Have you had it? how is it? I had a Brovia Dolcetto at Dino a few months ago that knocked my socks off, hence my purchase (plus I've always liked barbera - must be that high acid!).
 
We'll be leaving on Oct.11th for NY and will be there for a week. So Levi where will you be at that time. Picking grapes in Piedmont?
After realizing what the price of Barbera has been elevated to, could expensive Napa cab be far behind.
 
originally posted by maureen:
originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Brovia Barbera Sori del Drago : should this be a $50 Barbera, or does it give the lie to those others?

well, I paid $15 for mine but haven't yet taken delivery. Have you had it? how is it? I had a Brovia Dolcetto at Dino a few months ago that knocked my socks off, hence my purchase (plus I've always liked barbera - must be that high acid!).

May I ask where? That is a phenomenal price, and I love the Barbera Sori del Drago. Make sure to give it some air, or wait a few years.
 
originally posted by Lou Kessler:
Info from LeviWe'll be leaving on Oct.11th for NY and will be there for a week. So Levi where will you be at that time. Picking grapes in Piedmont?
After realizing what the price of Barbera has been elevated to, could expensive Napa cab be far behind.

I don't know the answer to your question, but let's touch base closer to then. It would be really great to see you. I was just thinking it had been too long.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Everybody here knows Vigneti Massa's "Monleale" Barbera, right?
I don't. Please enlighten.

It is from the Colli Tortonesi. From the same vintner who rescued Timorasso. His ageable, and inexpensive, Barbera would I think appeal to many people here. Certainly, I enjoy it a great deal.

And then there is the Barbera of Bera. Also worth seeking out.
 
Thanks. I have tried the Ronco Malo at sundry Attacks; it somehow never quite makes it into the 'buy' category.

And, looking back over my private db of TNs, well, barbera hasn't been a winner with me in recent years. Gotta think about why my perceptions of it are better than the facts would support.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Thanks. I have tried the Ronco Malo at sundry Attacks; it somehow never quite makes it into the 'buy' category.

And, looking back over my private db of TNs, well, barbera hasn't been a winner with me in recent years. Gotta think about why my perceptions of it are better than the facts would support.

I like it like I like a darkroom negative.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Everybody here knows Vigneti Massa's "Monleale" Barbera, right?

Ciao Levi,

Walter has opened up some bottles from the '70s and '80s this past year. And though they left their dirty jackets, the wine were not disgusting in the least.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Everybody here knows Vigneti Massa's "Monleale" Barbera, right?
I don't. Please enlighten.

It is from the Colli Tortonesi. From the same vintner who rescued Timorasso. His ageable, and inexpensive, Barbera would I think appeal to many people here. Certainly, I enjoy it a great deal.

And then there is the Barbera of Bera. Also worth seeking out.

I was under the impression that Daniele Ricci had a part to play too, re: Timorasso.
 
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