Dal Zotto Barbera 2012 (King Valley, Vic)
Screwcap, $25
Ah Barbera, forever the bridesmaid. I can’t think of many Australian examples of Barbera I’d want to drink actually, and this really doesn’t help things.
The product of a tricky vintage in the King Valley, this dark coloured, heavily extracted red is rippling with power, overt oak and astringent tannins. For all that power the fruit itself seems forgotten, missing the acid/forest berry refreshment that great Barbera should be all about, punctuated by raspy tannins and oak sweetness.
A wine that is simply trying too hard.
Source: Tasting
Tasted: May 2014
Drink: 2014-2018
Score: 15/20, 83/100
Would I buy it? No.
Buy online: Dal Zotto website
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2 Comments
Come to think of it, who is producing a good local Barbera? Seems like the sort of thing that could work. I'm quite partial to the Barbera d'Alba and d'Asti versions, of which there are of course 6,000 styles in true Piemonte style 🙂
It could work and good Piedmonte Barbera is more than valid. No one has worked out how to nail it locally though!