Carussin, Barbera d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) Lie Vi 2013

($20, The Vine Collective): Carussin’s Barbera labeled Lie Vi shows the importance of old vines.  From a single vineyard whose vines average about 40 years, it delivers more purity, complexity and depth without losing any of the energy of their regular — Asinoi — bottling.  Indeed, it has even more vivacity, which amplifies the finish.  It would perk up a simply roasted chicken without breaking the bank.
91 Michael Apstein Mar 3, 2015