Barbera is thought to have been first identified in central Piedmont, Italy in the 13^th century. Then in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, waves of Italian immigrants brought Barbera to America and the vine took root in California. Recent DNA evidence indicates that Barbera is related to the late-ripening French variety Mourvèdre. In the 1970s a respected French enologist recommended the use of small barrels for aging Barbera to allow a little oxygenation to soften the wine—a practice we follow at Navarro. The vines that produced fruit for this bottling were planted by Al Tollini seventeen years ago, and the resulting wine quality is testament to good soil, a good vineyardist and top-quality clones. In 2015, we harvested the grapes a little riper than the prior vintage to produce a fuller-bodied wine. This dark beauty has flavors of blueberries, chocolate and Moroccan spices swirling in its depths. This is Navarro's third Barbera from Tollini's vineyard; all three vintages, including this 2015, have been rated as Gold Medal winners and Best of Class.