The 2018 Braida da Giacomo Bologna Bricco dell'Uccellone is a notable Barbera from the Rocchetta Tanaro appellation in the Piedmont region of Italy. This red wine, produced by Braida, is sealed with a traditional cork and has a substantial alcohol content of 16.0%.
This wine has garnered high praise from several respected wine reviewers. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 94, highlighting its historical significance in putting Barbera on the global wine map. "It offers the richness and concentration of the Bricco della Bigotta, with the lighter style of the more immediate Montebruna," notes the review. The tasting profile includes dark blackberry, toasted nutmeg, and Spanish cedar, with a notable pop of acidity on the finish. A significant 70,000 bottles of this vintage were produced.
Vinous also reviewed the wine, giving it a score of 91. Their review describes the 2018 Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone as "a rich, heady Barbera" with flavors of super-ripe dark cherry, leather, tobacco, cedar, and chocolate. The review suggests that the 2018 vintage is somewhat less opulent than usual and recommends drinking it sooner rather than later due to the advanced flavor profile.
Wine Enthusiast matched Robert Parker's Wine Advocate with a score of 94, praising the wine's aromatic complexity and balance. "Aromas of mature black-skinned berries, cassis, cedar, and toasted hazelnut lead the way," writes Kerin O'Keefe. The palate is described as concentrated and savory, delivering flavors of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice, and clove, supported by fine-grained tannins. The review also notes that the alcohol is well integrated, thanks to the wine's freshness and fruit, and recommends a drinking window from 2023 to 2030.
Overall, the 2018 Braida da Giacomo Bologna Bricco dell'Uccellone is a highly regarded Barbera, praised for its rich, complex profile and well-integrated alcohol, making it a noteworthy choice for wine enthusiasts.