2009 Barbaresco Asili Riserva

Good bright medium red. Red fruits, dried flowers, wild herbs and truffley underbrush on the complex, showy nose. Gives a strong impression of extract on entry, then shows excellent tension and vinosity to its concentrated fruit and earth flavors. A step up in density from the foregoing wines. Tactile and gripping for the year, with a bright future.

The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Asili blossoms on the palate with lovely depth and richness. The fine Asili tannins are there, as the fruit shows its depth and roundness. The style is soft, supple and generous. The suave Asili personality comes through, but the pure excitement of the best vintages proves to be elusive. A generous, caressing finish rounds things out nicely.

The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is an impeccable wine and a masterpiece in its own right. It is among my top picks in 2009 Barbaresco. The wine exhibits a pristine, focused quality that is contrasted majestically against soft fruit and round spice flavors. The quality of fruit is bright, tonic and infused with vitality. That liveliness is reinforced by delicate aromas of pressed violet, white truffle, cola, dried ginger and exotic spice. The Riserva Asili delivers enormous elegance and long aging potential. Jun 2015, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2017-2032