2005 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili

The 2005 Barbaresco Asili is a jewel of a wine. I suppose the 2005 doesn't have the sweetness not finesse of the very best vintages, but it comes very, very close. The ineffable Asili perfume comes through beautifully in a sensual, complete Barbaresco that will thrill Giacosa fans. Rose petal, mint, plum and cinnamon are some of the many nuances that inform the silky, inviting finish.

Two wines from Bruno Giacosa, both from magnum, are brilliant. The 2005 Barbaresco Asili (magnum) is a bit more rewarding to drink today than the 2004 Barolo Falletto, although it is not likely to age as gracefully. In this classic Giacosa dried rose petal and spice notes are alive in the glass, but here it is the wine’s mid-palate that is super-expressive and generous.

Things kicked up several notches with a flight of Barbareschis from the famed Asili vineyard. Asili is in the village of Barbaresco, where the wines are generally more feminine than in Neive. The best wines from this site have great aromatics and fine, silky tannins. Once again, I was quite taken with the 2005. It remains a leaner wine, not unlike the 1996 in style with a feminine personality and plenty of fragrant, perfumed fruit. The balance and sense of harmony were simply impeccable.