This historic wine put Barbera on the world wine map. It offers the richness and concentration of the Bricco della Bigotta, with the lighted style of the more immediate Montebruna. The character of the Braida 2018 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is more sophisticated and complex, with dark blackberry, toasted nutmeg and Spanish cedar. Wait for it, there's that pop of acidity on the close. Some 70,000 of these bottles were made.- ML

Aromas of mature black-skinned berries, cassis, cedar and toasted hazelnut lead the way. The concentrated, savory palate doles out blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Thanks to the wine's freshness and fruit, the alcohol is well integrated. Drink 2023–2030. KERIN O’KEEFE

The 2018 Barbera &Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is a rich, heady Barbera. Super-ripe dark cherry, leather, tobacco, cedar and chocolate all meld together in a seamless, opulent Barbera. In 2018, the Bricco dell'Uccellone is a bit less opulent than is typical while the flavors are leaning toward the more advanced end of the spectrum, I would prefer to drink this sooner rather than later. By Antonio Galloni on November 2021