2017 CasaSmith Barbera Cervo Washington Red

2017 CasaSmith Barbera Cervo

93 JD

Featured Review

One of the best expressions of this variety outside of Italy must be the 2017 Barbera Cervo from Charles Smith. Its vibrant purple/ruby color is followed by a fresh, complex bouquet of blue and black fruits, leafy herbs, vanilla, and spice. It’s terrific on the palate as well, offering medium to full body, tons of fruit, and remarkable purity. Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JD

Attractive wild raspberries abound here with a fresh and direct impression, delivered as a refreshingly zesty style on the palate. Energetic finish. Drink now.

James Suckling | 92 JS

Type of Wine	Washington Red
Varietal	Barbera : The country of Italy is a viticultural paradise, teeming with some of the world’s most popular grape varietals. Among this plethora of quality grapes is Barbera; once regarded as rather ordinary partly because it was so widely planted. In fact it was one of the most common Piemontese grapes and used as the everyday drinking wine on Italian dinner tables. However, “No grape has known such a dramatic upgrade in its fortunes and image in the last 20 years than Barbera in Piemonte, north-west Italy,” states the great Jancis Robinson. Barbera vines have grown in the Piedmont region of Monferrato for centuries, where it is thought to have originated. It was traditionally used to make inexpensive, easy drinking everyday wines and grown and sold in bulk for blending. At the beginning of the twentieth century, it was the third most planted red grape in Italy with 20, 524 hectares covering the hills of Italy. The total amount of hectares grown in Italy is diminishing; however, where the quantity of vines is lessening, the quality of wine is on the rise. Barbera is encountered in both blended wines and varietals and the latter are becoming increasingly common as Italy continues its move towards varietal labeling. The vigorous, adaptable vines of Barbera can grow in a myriad of soils from calcareous clay to limestone to sand and can withstand hot climates. Although the majority of Barbera is planted in Piedmont, it can be found in numerous appellations of Italy, including Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, Campania, Sicily and Sardinia. Because of its heat tolerance, it has also traveled beyond its native homeland, landing in South Africa, Australia, Argentina and California and is responsible for high quality wines in each of these countries. The thick-skinned, dark purple berries of Barbera grow on rootstocks that have no known incompatibilities making this feat even more possible. Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba remain the quintessential wines of Italy, hailing from the towns of Asti and Alba. These locations have placed Barbera on the map of varietal driven markets around the world, influencing their “New World” counterparts. The wines made from Barbera are juicy, relatively light bodied despite its deep, bold purple color and is extremely drinkable due to its refreshingly high acidity, low tannins and moderate alcohol. This once common table wines has been elevated to a new standard and is being recognized as one of the great varietals of Italy, alongside the esteemed Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	Washington : While California definitely owns the spotlight when it comes to excellent American wines, Washington winemakers should certainly not be underestimated. While their traditional focus was set firmly on refreshing, illustrious white wines, they've adopted French red varietals like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, they've been achieving excellence in both categories and can compete with the world's most prestigious viticultural titans. Flavor-wise, you can expect a healthy amount of variety when it comes to Washington's finest wines. From acidic and fruity bottles that can shake you up from even the deepest slumber or sadness to rich and ripe powerhouses that command the respect of everyone in the room after as much as a single whiff. Juicy raspberries that gently tickle your tongue, deep and noble blackberries, intense cherries and earthen oak - these are the flavors that characterize this region, despite the presence of an entire orchestral symphony of other aromatic notes. A sampling of fine wine from Washington is a lot like being seduced, so why not uncork one of these bottles for a potential or existing partner? With a drink of this quality, those romantic sparks will turn into a fireworks display, as your emotions are laid bare and intensified, and you make a connection that can last a lifetime.