2012 Palmina Santa Barbara County Barbera

Once again, Palmina's 2012 Barbera is absolutely delicious as well as one of the most distinctive wines in the range. Pungent red berries, orange peel, spice and mint open up in a super-classic, old-school Barbera endowed with tons of complexity and nuance, with a distinct nod to the great old-school Piedmont Barberas. The 2012 spent six months in neutral barrels then two years in cask. From top to bottom, this is a compelling set of new releases from Steve and Chrystal Clifton at Palmina. Although all of these wines are delicious, if there is one wine that delivers an especially compelling mix of quality, personality and value is the Barbera, which is on a par with the best versions from Piedmont. (AG)