Barbaresco Riserva Asili, Bruno Giacosa 2000

Bruno Giacosa's 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili, which I tasted from magnum, was also magnificent. From bottle the 2000 is starting to fade a little, but in the big bottle it remains youthful, vibrant and impeccable. To be sure, the 2000 won't be terribly long-lived, but we caught it on a day when all the elements were singing. This was a great showing.

Who am I to say no to another opportunity to taste the magnificent 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili? Aromatic on the nose with notes of flowers and crushed raspberries, the seductive 2000 Asili displays a dark translucent red color along with generous amounts of lush super-ripe red fruit, mineral and licorice notes in supremely elegant composition of profound overall balance. The Asili is irresistible right now but also appears to have the structure to age gracefully for at least 20 years. Readers should note that the red-label Riserva is the only Giacosa wine from Asili in vintage 2000. An Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.