The 2009 Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccellone is totally polished and refined from start to finish. Floral notes meld into clean, mineral-infused fruit as this restrained, beautiful Barbera opens up in the glass. The saline, vibrant finish is pure silk. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. It’s been a long time since I have been this excited about new releases from Braida. The 2009 Barberas are truly stellar. They are less bombastic than some of the wines of the recent past, and more built on minerality and length. Let’s hope that is a sign of even greater things to come. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907