Perla Terra, Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2021 ($40, Dalla Terra)

This is a very pleasant and affordable wine that could be termed “Barolo light.” The importer had a hand in its production, sourcing grapes from the various villages in this northwestern Italian region and putting together what was once termed a “shippers’ wine,” not meant to be a blockbuster but rather a good introductory bottle. This has smooth black raspberry and blackberry flavors that allow for easy drinking without the assertive tannins that Nebbiolo wines from this appellation normally exhibit — and which add to their reputation but also their need for aging.
91 Roger Morris