The Monferrato Rosso Il Baciale is a wine I have often enjoyed, and the 2008 is another winner. An unusual blend of Barbera, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Baciale flows with sweet red cherries and flowers in a soft, accessible style. The finish is long, precise and wonderfully nuanced. This mid-weight, gracious red is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. These are some of the most exciting wines I have tasted from Braida in a long time. In particular, the 2008 Barbere are exceptional. It’s hard to tell how much of that is attributable to the vintage itself versus winemaking, but the simple reality is that the 2008s are beautiful, elegant, refined Barbere that avoid the excessive heaviness that was common in the past.Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907