Barbaresco Riserva Asili, Bruno Giacosa 2011

This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche del Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Dried mushrooms too. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. Decadent. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016.

The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Asili (red label) is a full and generous wine that wraps thickly over the senses. The bouquet shows enormous depth and power with a generous presentation of dark fruit, cassis, balsam herb, cola, licorice, tar and lingering smoke. There is an evident sense of fruit ripeness here that helps to build momentum and staying power. Clay soils in the vineyard site have also helped to contribute to the heft and full-bodied nature of this special wine. The finish is characterized by mild acidity and lingering flavors of ripe fruit. The opulent fruit of the wine recalls the 2007 and 2004 vintages.