Viberti, Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) 2017

 This is terrific Barbera by any standard and at any price, but at $16 – $18, it is a delightful steal as well as a wonderful partner for a very wide range of foods.  Beautiful, brilliant deep color had my mouth watering from the outset, and the fresh aromas only intensified the great start.  Fresh aromas of bright red and black berries are underlain by subtle savory scents and flavor notes, making this seem both youthfully energetic but also a wine of serious standing.  With low tannin but very bright acidity, this would be a refreshing stand-alone sipper but also excellent with moderately robust foods of many different kinds.