97 points

2014 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2018

“Packaged in its distinctive red label (red is for Riserva), the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Asili represents a tremendous effort in a challenging but ultimately very rewarding vintage. This wine will be released in February 2019. The previous edition was 2011, and Bruna Giacosa tells me that it will be produced in 2016 and possibly 2017—although this has not yet been officially confirmed. In a normal vintage, production is 11,000 bottles strong, but because of reduced yields in 2014 we can expect some 8,000 bottles instead. Growing conditions in 2014 were cause for concern up until the end of August because of humidity and below average temperatures. Those conditions changed suddenly in the nick of time, bringing strong sunshine and warmth during the final stage of grape ripening. Ultimately, 2014 proved to be a long growing season with healthy fruit in reduced volume. The Rabajà cru sometimes shows a harder edge with more mineral definition. Asili, in comparison, offers gorgeous intensity and profound depth. This Riserva shows seamless integration of wild fruit, blue flower, spice, balsam herb and pencil shaving. This is a complete and complex expression with an enduring sense of dimension and structure. I can’t wait to taste this wine one day in the far future when it is further along on its promising evolutionary track.”

95 points

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabajà

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2021

“The Bruno Giacosa 2017 Barbaresco Rabajà is a fine and delicate wine that throws a curveball at our expectations of this notoriously hot and dry vintage. The wine is exceedingly generous when it comes to its fruit, especially its blackcurrant and plum, but what steals the show is that elegant mineral note that so seamlessly cedes to spice, licorice and cinnamon. Rabajà is one of the most distinctive growing sites in Barbaresco, thanks to its white stony soils that leave such a strong imprint on its wines. The wine is remarkable for its nicely linear and delicate style, but it ultimately proves its power and determination on the palate over many long minutes”

95 points

2014 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2018

“This wine was made in 2011 and 2012 but not in 2013. The 2014 Barolo Falletto (white label) is fascinating to taste right after the Barbaresco Riserva Asili from the same vintage. There is no doubting the extra muscle mass and power that is obtained in the Barolo appellation, and from the Serralunga d’Alba township specifically. This dramatic Barolo delivers darkness and density. It shows a beautiful appearance with faint highlights of dark ruby that add a subtle sparkle. At this point in its drinking cycle, the wine shows all the characteristic traits of its youth. This means it is more closed and rigid at present. That nervous tightness needs to be factored in when assessing the cellar longevity of this vintage. Hints of the wine’s inner complexity, sheer determination and textural fortitude are already bubbling up from deep inside this firmly layered Nebbiolo. I wanted to mention the tightness of the tannins now. These will undoubtedly serve to carry this wine forward over the coming decades.”

94 points

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2019

“Bottled in July of last year, the 2015 Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche is a daring and absolutely profound expression of Nebbiolo with the depth, thickness and volume you can expect from a warm vintage such as this. This wine is a veritable bomb of aromatic intensity with thick layers of dark fruit, spice and crushed stone that all vie for your attention in equal measure. The mouthfeel is characterized by thick fiber and lasting succulence, all capped with fresh acidity and a firm tannic backbone. This Barolo is classic Giacosa.”

100 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva

James Suckling, James Suckling, April 2020

“This is the second 100-point Vigna Le Rocche, following the 2015. What the former had in intensity of fruit and transparency, this has in structure and power. The purity of fruit is sensational in this young Barolo, offering blackberries, black truffle and iron. Rust too. This is so tannic and powerful with incredible structure. This may be the most structured Barolo from Bruno Giacosa I have ever tasted as a young wine. Speechless. Full-bodied and so intense, yet it remains fresh and agile. Traditional in every sense of the world, but this is clear and clean. A classic in the making. It will be in the market January 2022. Leave this for at least six to eight years. Try in 2027.”

100 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

James Suckling, James Suckling, April 2020

“This is really muscular and really powerful. It is amazing. Full-bodied, yet tight and super structured with incredible power and super toned tannins. It goes on for minutes. The greatest Barbaresco ever from here? I love the strength with fruit finesse. I don’t remember tasting a young Asili like this. Give this a lot of time to come together. One for the cellar. Try after 2026.”

100 points

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

James Suckling, James Suckling, January 2019

“I am lost for words with this wine. Perfumed and so elegant with the most exquisite aromas of roses, plums and earth. Yet always subtle and complex. Full body, ultra-fine and firm tannins. Upgraded. Fantastic finish that lasts for minutes. Try in 2026”

99 points

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

James Suckling, James Suckling, September 2018

“Subtle and complex aromas of roses, rose stems and meat. Highly perfumed. Extremely pretty, subtle fruit, yet a solid core of tannins holding it all together. Full-to medium-bodied with a chewy mouth feel and a long and persistent finish. Lots of black cherries and walnuts in the aftertaste. Try in 2024.”

99 points

2014 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

James Suckling, James Suckling, September 2018

“#8 Italian Wines of 2018 & #34 Top Wines of 2018 - Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019.”

98 points

2014 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva

James Suckling, James Suckling, January 2019

“The aromas are so seductive with dried roses and berries. Tar and asphalt too. Full body, very tight and powerful. Leaner and long tannins. It goes on for so long. Stops and then takes over again. A curious and challenging young wine. Great. In market 2020. Better in 2026.”

97 points

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

James Suckling, James Suckling, April 2021

“Sweet berries, smoke, cedar and olives on the nose. Floral. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a pretty background and ripe fruit. Flavorful finish. Hints of bitter citrus and smoke, too. Very complex. Powerful for Falletto. Drink after 2026.”

97 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2020

“This is a really dense red with intensity and beauty, showing dried fruit, such as strawberries, as well as chocolate, tar, hazelnuts and meat. Really complex and rich. Opulent, yet tense with dusty tannins. Extremely long. Great finish. Hard not to drink now, but will age incredibly well. Try after 2025.”

97 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabajà

James Suckling, James Suckling, July 2020

“This is a very sexy, soft Barbaresco with chocolate, earth and pure fruit, from strawberries to cherries. Medium -o full-bodied with elegant tannins that give form to this wine. It’s fine and lovely in the mouth. Exciting. A fine, granular-textured red. Drinkable now, but better in 2024.”

94 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barolo DOCG

James Suckling, James Suckling, August 2020

“The berry and tar character is already coming through clearly here. It shows readiness and focus. Full-bodied with firm, silky tannins and attractive orange-peel and spice notes, turning to flowers. Chewy, yet polished and pretty. This comes from the young vineyards on the estate. Drinkable now, but better after 2022.”

97 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, January 2021

“This is rich and dense, yet also racy, evoking cherry, plum, tar and eucalyptus flavors, with a thread of mineral underscoring it all. Shows fine length and intensity, and there's ample fruit to match the spine of tannins, but this just needs time. Best from 2025 through 2045. 185 cases imported.”

96 points

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, June 2019

“It takes a few seconds to access the core of fruit in this taut, sinewy red, but there is a beam of pure cherry, accented by rose, wild juniper, thyme and licorice flavors. This turns elegant and supple in the end, with terrific complexity, harmony and minerally length. Best from 2023 through 2046. From Italy”

95 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, December 2020

“This pretty red offers distinctive mint, black tea, cherry, tar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Firm and dry, with the tobacco and tea notes echoing on the finish. Shows plenty of finesse. Best from 2024 through 2045. 185 cases imported.”

95 points

2016 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabajà

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2020

“Elegant and graceful, this offers cherry, strawberry, rose, tobacco, iron and spice flavors on a linear frame. The steely structure and tension deliver plenty of grip. Balanced in the end, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”

94 points

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, December 2021

“This is broad and open-knit, offering plum, cherry, eucalyptus, juniper, licorice, tar and tobacco flavors. Dense tannins add grip as this turns more compact on the finish. The smooth texture and balance bode well for the future. Best from 2025 through 2046”

93 points

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabajà

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, January 2021

“This red is saturated with cherry and plum flavors, framed by mint, tobacco and earth accents. Chewy in texture and muscular on the persistent finish. Best from 2024 through 2038.”