The 2013 Barbera d'Alba Valbianchera shows nice darkness with good aromatic intensity, offering mineral notes followed by dark cherry. The wine is aged in neutral barrique in order to maintain its naked fruit sensations.

The 2010 Barbera d-Alba Valbianchera is striking in its beauty. Freshly cut flowers, dark red berries, spices and French oak all come together in this intensely vibrant wine. Deep, layered and perfumed, the 2010 stands out for its superb balance and overall harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Year after year, Almondo is one of the very finest producers in Roero, a part of Piedmont where consistency is hard to come by. This is a fabulous set of wines from top to bottom. Importer: Petit Pois, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644

The 2008 Barbera d’Alba Valbianchera flows with expressive dark fruit, flowers and spices, all framed by an insistent vein of minerality that gives the wine its focus and balance. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Once again, Almondo has turned out a fabulous set of wines. Readers who want to explore Roero should start here. Importer: Petit Pois, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644

The 2007 Barbera d’Alba Valbianchera is a pretty wine laced with red berries, flowers and sweet spices, all of which come together nicely on a sleek, mid-weight frame. The aromatics aren’t as clean or as articulated as I had expected, but otherwise this is a tasty Barbera. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. Almondo is an excellent source for varietally true, expressive wines from Roero. The red Roeros are particularly impressive this year. Importer: Petit Pois, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644

The 2006 Barbera d’Alba Valbianchera is a rich, plummy wine with plenty of dark fruit, even if the balance of the finest vintages is somewhat elusive. Clean, minerally notes frame the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. Almondo is an excellent source for wines from Roero loaded with character and personality. Importer: Petit Pois, Moorestown, NJ; tel. (856) 608-9644