2003 Barbaresco Gallina

The 2003 Barbaresco Riserva Gallina represents a clear step up from the normal bottling. This pretty wine reveals open, expressive aromatics and a lovely core of ripe red fruit, with outstanding persistence on the palate and a gorgeous, sweet finish. Made in a feminine style, it is a delicate Barbaresco with a winning personality. The hard tannins of the vintage are evident, but are also very well integrated with the rest of the wine. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. Importer: Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

The Barbaresco Gallina is the most approachable of the estate's 2003 Barbarescos. Medium ruby in color, it offers attractive suggestions of menthol, minerals, herbs, tobacco and over-ripe fruit with good length but it doesn't quite have enough stuffing to fill its somewhat austere frame and the unripe tannins typical of the vintage clip the finish.

The Barbaresco Gallina is the most approachable of the estate’s 2003 Barbarescos. Medium ruby in color, it offers attractive suggestions of menthol, minerals, herbs, tobacco and over-ripe fruit with good length but it doesn’t quite have enough stuffing to fill its somewhat austere frame and the unripe tannins typical of the vintage clip the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700; Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411; and Bianco~Rosso Imports, Ltd., Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 781-0702