2008 Barbaresco Cotta Vigna Brichet

Pale red. Very dry finish. Introvert but convincing. Neat and long. Seems as though you could enjoy this now or for quite a long time. (JR)

Limestone and clay soils in the centre of Barbaresco. 50- to 60-year-old vines. Richer fruit produced here than in Pajoré. Deeper garnet. Starting to show sweet undergrowth decay on the nose. Dusty and fresh. Ramrod steely power and intensity without any fat. Determined. Very fine grained, a certain austerity but richer than the Pajoré. (JH)

Good medium red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, crushed stone and mint lifted by hints of orange and peach. Very dry, juicy and penetrating; can't quite match the Curra for weight but this is wonderfully perfumed in the mouth. A saline element contributes thrust. Here the tannins are currently a bit more exposed, calling for a good seven or eight years of cellaring. "Two thousand eight will be a great classic vintage, like 2001 and 1996," said Sottimano.