Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Barba – i Vasari “Old Vines” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC – 2022
Abruzzo, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
From one of Abruzzo’s most respected family producers, the Barba i Vasari Old Vines embodies the soulful depth of mature Montepulciano vineyards. Crafted from low-yielding old vines rooted in clay-limestone soils, this DOC wine bridges intensity and elegance, a fine showcase of what Abruzzo can achieve when tradition meets restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark cherries, black plum, and crushed violets lead the way, followed by nuances of black pepper, cocoa, and a touch of sweet tobacco. Hints of dried herbs and vanilla complete the aromatic frame.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, silky in texture yet structured with supple tannins. There’s a satisfying balance between ripe dark fruit and savory spice, culminating in a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Perfect with lasagna alla bolognese, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, or aged pecorino.

Verdict
A beautiful expression of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, intense yet approachable, generous but never overbearing. Old vines deliver concentration and charm in equal measure. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The “i Vasari” vineyards trace their origins to the 1700s and sit near Pescara, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. This position brings cool coastal breezes that preserve acidity even in warmer years.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A deliciously balanced Montepulciano that delivers both depth and drinkability. A genuine Italian gem I’d pour confidently for any gathering of Italian wine lovers. — a day ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.0

Deep purple in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced intensity primary and secondary aromas of blackberries, dried herbs, and vanilla; on the palate, it's dry, with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of plum, baking spices, a hint of black pepper, and crushed gravel with a long finish. This wine is intense and balanced, but it's difficult to differentiate the flavors. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 23 days ago

Jeanette Bangs

9.2

Jammy! 🇮🇹 Yummy 😋 — a month ago

Tegan Marriott

8.9

Tart from the start in this vintage. Acidic backbone, glycerol bush berries, cleanses the palate with each sip. — 6 days ago

Rufus King

9.0

Delicious Montepulciano served with penne pasta at Osteria Vespa restaurant, Amherst, MA — 15 days ago

Carter Snead

9.7

Pierluigi with Rovas — 21 days ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Very solid pecorino, especially on day 2. Crisp, refreshing, quite linear and direct but still very nice. Good value too. — 13 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.0

2022. Medium body and very dry with medium tannins that smoothed out when paired with the fantastic house-made sausage and marinated pepper pizza. — 23 days ago

Steven Heydemann

9.4

Showing so beautifully right now. Density and purity of dark berry fruit, olive wood smoke, sage and thyme notes. Terrific.  — a month ago

Mads Møller

8.9

Refreshing extroverted orange wine. Love it. Oct 2025 — 15 days ago