Red wine bombs are everywhere these days. We just visited one winery and was served a Sangiovese that was 16.5% alcohol. Big fruit + lots of alcohol = wine bomb.

It makes you appreciate a winery that can produce a nicely balanced red wine that is enjoyable to drink. Montevina Barbera is one of those wines.

It starts with wonderful, deep aromas of black cherries, earth, pepper and wet leather.

The wine is nicely jammy and oily with flavors of black cherries, cocoa, smoke and earth. It has just enough tannins to balance with food.

This is a great burger wine . . . and it would work with hearty pasta, grilled meat and pizza, too. Or just enjoy this well-crafted red wine on its own.