Dear Friends,
Just when we’d thought that we’d seen it all when it comes to Barbera, along comes Lot 888 to make us reset our expectations of this versatile Piedmontese variety. Barbera is native to the rolling hills of northwestern Italy, still, its vibrant red berry flavor has proven so immensely popular that plantings can now be found throughout Italy, as well as South America, Australia, Israel, Africa, and California.
Despite its ubiquitousness, Barbera rarely sees the kind of treatment that Lot 888 2021 High Valley Barbera brings to the table.
Lot 888 was sourced from a high-end program in a still under-the-radar section of California’s Lake County called High Valley. This aptly named AVA sits at over 2,000 feet above sea level, boasting well-draining soils and volcanic deposits that force the vines to grow deep roots in search of water, creating complex, fruit-driven flavors. The cooler breezes help to retain Barbera’s already fantastic acidity, and the higher elevations promote thicker skin development to protect the grapes from the intense UV light at those higher altitudes.
All things considered, you’re getting a family-made, everyday sipper, that rises above the rest, offering more structure, color, and intensity than your typical Old World Barbera. Recently Lot 888 scored 98pts at the LA Invitational Wine Competition and earned both ‘Double Gold’ and ‘Best of Class.’ At just $15, this is one you’ll want to grab a few cases of, and quickly.
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