93 points

2014 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco DOCG

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, June 2017

“This is a difficult wine to find in the marketplace and it is rarely presented for official review. In fact, the last time it was produced was way back in 2008. The 2014 Barbaresco sees fruit sourced from the lower part of the Asili cru with some smaller amounts from Rabajà. This is a very opulent and rich expression with forward determination and power. This is an unusual vintage with a cool summer and a very warm pre-harvest period. It produced interesting wines specifically in Barbaresco and almost nowhere else in Northern Italy. The quality of fruit is ripe and a touch sweet. Its texture is succulent and soft. The wine feels like it could be ready to drink now, but it also has the pedigree and beautiful inner structure for long cellar aging.”

96 points

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, November 2013

“Good medium red.  Crushed cherry, raspberry, rose petal and botanical herbs on the tangy nose and palate.  If the Santo Stefano is a more masculine, underbrushy style of nebbiolo, this one is a perfume bomb in the mouth, incredibly silky and fine-grained but with outstanding sappy tang to leaven its thickness.  Most impressive today on the slowly mounting, elegant, mouth-saturating back end, which features big but fine-grained tannins and outstanding rising length.  A real essence of nebbiolo.”

Tre Bicchieri Award

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Gambero Rosso, October 2016

95 points

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, June 2016

“The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Asili (red label) is a full and generous wine that wraps thickly over the senses. The bouquet shows enormous depth and power with a generous presentation of dark fruit, cassis, balsam herb, cola, licorice, tar and lingering smoke. There is an evident sense of fruit ripeness here that helps to build momentum and staying power. Clay soils in the vineyard site have also helped to contribute to the heft and full-bodied nature of this special wine. The finish is characterized by mild acidity and lingering flavors of ripe fruit. The opulent fruit of the wine recalls the 2007 and 2004 vintages. ”

94 points

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, April 2016

“An elegant, sinewy style, with classic Nebbiolo character, exuding floral, cherry, strawberry, leather and mineral flavors. The lingering tobacco finish gets a boost from the light burr of tannins. Remains juicy and long. Best from 2017 through 2032. 300 cases imported.”

99 points

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva

James Suckling, James Suckling, January 2015

“This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche de Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Decadent. Dried mushrooms. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. So refined. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016.”

95 points

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, July 2018

“Macerated cherry, plum, mineral and leafy, herbal notes highlight this tightly wound red. Elegant, with silkiness up front and assertive tannins guarding the finish. Gains complexity with air. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,125 cases made.”

94 points

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili

Stephanie Johnson, Wine & Spirits, December 2016

“This wine’s texture is lovely, with lightly abrasive tannins that weave through its saturated flavors of black cherry and plum. The fruit is rich, its sweet ripeness balanced by fresh acidity. The flavors take on notes of anise and pepper, verging into some savory notes that provide ballast—on the dark end of the spectrum for Barbaresco, calling for a match with rich beef or veal dishes.”

98 points

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili

Rich Cook, Wine Review Online, October 2016

“Once in a while I get a chance to taste a wine that shows me something I've not experienced before in the most positive way imaginable. The Asili is such a wine -- at its young age, it shows absolutely explosive aromas of cherry, fresh cut orange, powder, candied raspberry and mixed spice, all just as clear as a cathedral bell. The palate is just starting to show the promise of the nose, with a firm grip and dry earth minerality up front now, but the promise is solid as a rock. Riveting wine!”

95 points

2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili

Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, February 2016

“Red rose, iris, perfumed berry and baking spice emerge on this stunning, vibrant wine. The elegantly structured palate offers crushed raspberry, juicy red cherry, cinnamon and chopped herb while fresh acidity and polished tannins provide a bright, elegant framework. Drink 2018–2027.”