2009 Barbaresco Bricco Asili

The 2009 Barbaresco Bricco Asili is a pure joy to taste. Weightless and gracious, the 2009 wafts from the glass with the essence of freshly cut flowers, spices, red berries and crushed rose petals. The finesse of tannins elevates the Asili to a rarified air among the very best wines of the year. Seemingly endless layers of pure, textured floral fruit remain in the empty glass. This is a flat-out gorgeous wine in every way. I imagine the 2009 will enjoy a long and broad drinking window. Frankly, it is virtually impossible to resist today.

Medium red. High-pitched aromas of spices and rose petal. Juicy and perfumed in the mouth but not yet fleshy or giving. Nicely fresh red fruits, though, and seemingly built for serious aging. The substantial, slightly drying tannins coat the front teeth.

The 2009 Barbaresco Bricco Asili is a pure joy to taste. Weightless and gracious, the 2009 wafts from the glass with the essence of freshly cut flowers, spices, red berries and crushed rose petals. The finesse of tannins elevates the Asili to a rarified air among the very best wines of the year. Seemingly endless layers of pure, textured floral fruit remain in the empty glass. This is a flat-out gorgeous wine in every way. I imagine the 2009 will enjoy a long and broad drinking window. Frankly, it is virtually impossible to resist today. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. Oct 2012, www.robertparker.com