Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) “Le Orme” 2022 ($12)

This “Le Orme” is made from Chiarlo’s four Barbera vineyards in Nizza, including the old vine La Court estate. It was aged for 16 months total with 4 months in large oak. Offered as the winery’s ready-to-drink Barbera, it is indeed fresh and fruit-forward. But it also displays considerable depth and typical Barbera character at this attractive price. Blackberry and plum aromas are easily coaxed out of the glass. The flavors are ripe and juicy but nicely held in check by soft tannins. Simply put: there is a lot of wine here for the money.
91 Norm Roby