An unexpected find. We review the 2019 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Nizza DOCG Barbera Lot #117 from the Bersano Estate.
100% Barbera from the Bersano Estate in Nizza Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy. Since this is a Riserva level wine it must be aged 30 months before release including 12 months in wood. (The standard wines from this region require 18 months of aging with at least 6 in wood.)
Originally a subzone of the Barbera d’Asti DOCG (called Barbera d’Asti Superiore Nizza) this area became it’s own DOCG, just known as Nizza, in 2014. It is generally considered to be the top or at least one of the top appellations for the Barbera grape. Grown in the premium hillside sites, the Barbera grape, which is thought to have originated here, truly flourishes.
The wine itself comes from Bersano, a large Piedmont producer that was in fact founded in Nizza.
All of that certainly sounds promising but can a $14.99 bottle from Trader Joe’s really capture the essence of this region where most bottles retail for at least twice that price? Let’s check it out.
The wine is imported by 8 Vini, Inc.
From the bottle:
The area of production includes only 18 villages of Monferrato, in the historical area of Barbera. Aged 30 months, of which at least 12 was in wood. Ideal pairing with red meats, game, mature cheeses. Produced from the ‘General’ vineyard by Bersano, one of the oldest family estates in Piemonte.
Would You Like To Save This?
Subscribe and we'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
We won't send you spam, unsubscribe at any time.
Bottled by Bersano Vini S.R.L.
15% Alcohol
The 2019 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Nizza DOCG Barbera Lot #117 opens with aromas of black cherry with a little leather, cedar, licorice, vanilla and more. It needs some time to open up but it’s good when it does.
Tasting the wine reveals similar flavors to the nose with the secondary touches a bit more prominent in the mouth. It’s also nicely tannic throughout and features a smooth mouthfeel.
It ends dry, long and grippy. We found it to be a bit better on day 2 so be sure to give it plenty of time to breathe.
Is this wine a revelation of the Barbera grape? Definitely not, but it is still a solid representation at this low price.
2019 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Nizza Barbera
RECOMMENDED BUY
As always you can find an updated list of our recommended wines from Trader Joe’s as well as more info on their pricing model and some tips and tricks for shopping the store in our giant guide.
You can also find more of our favorite wines from Italy here!
