1989 Barbera Vigna Larigi

Altare's first vintage of Larigi was 1983, but unfortunately neither the 1983 nor 1984 could be found. Readers who have visited the estate know that Altare is down to just a few bottles of these early wines, so all things considered, it is remarkable that he still has a handful of bottles of all the remaining vintages! The 1989 Vigna Larigi easily lives up to the reputation of this historic harvest. A full-bodied, powerful, intense wine, the 1989 Larigi possesses extraordinary purity in its fruit, along with sweet notes of menthol, minerals and flowers that come to life on the finish. In a word: spectacular. Based on this bottle another ten years of fine drinking seems like a safe bet.

The 1989 Vigna Larigi (100% Barbera) is a compelling example of what Barbera can attain. The color is an opaque purple and the nose offers up sweet aromas of vanillin, smoke, and black fruits. There is exceptional richness, a thrilling mid-palate with considerable expansive and sweetness of fruit, as well as a long finish. This pure, rich, medium to full-bodied wine should continue to provide dazzling drinking over the next 7-10 years. Importer: a Marc di Grazia Selection, Michael Skurnick Wines, Westbury, NY.