Gemma Barbaresco 2018

Make way for a new-to-us find: a seriously divine, 94-point Barbaresco that we’re still amazed they’re letting us sell for more than 50% OFF, at less than $30 a bottle!

Gemma is a less-known Langhe producer that we selfishly want to keep all to ourselves… buuut suppose we can share with our closest Invino pals. Longtime Alba expert Giorgio Barbero (who doubles as an amateur cyclist and Piemonte tour guide) has been making tragically tiny batches of Barolo, Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera, and more for decades. As we tasted this ultra-pleasing Barbaresco, we couldn’t help but scratch our heads in confusion about HOW this guy’s wines haven’t blown up (and how they don’t cost way, way more $$$ as a result). 

If Barolo is the king of Italian wines, then Barbaresco is the queen…and this 2018 vintage from Gemma is warm, elegant, layered, and approachable like the lovable royalty she is. Her highness comes to us boasting the classic brilliance of nebbiolo grapes, but in an even MORE graceful and smooth incarnation than others, you may have tried. Bouquets of red roses meld with notes of aromatic camphor and sticky, addicting Amarena cherries, chased by pulses of fig leaf, balsamic, and spicy red hot candies. The super-fine tannins grip without strangling and carry you through the finish line with flavors of dark chocolate chips, raspberry jam dot cookies, and a bundle of cedar, spearmint, and sage sprinkled with white pepper. Whew, just a whole lot going on in a splendidly sexy and complex northern Italy wine…and for $30??? It feels like an absurdity… an absolute joke, but one that we are more than happy to join in on, as long as no one pulls out the rug. (Truth: Our team might be responsible for a small…ish…percentage of sales for this one when all’s said and done.) Under $30, 94 points, supremely satisfying…this is one of those “run, don’t walk” situations. They’re going to go FAST!