Barbaresco Asili, Bruno Giacosa 2022

The 2022 Barbaresco Asili is gorgeous. Silky, aromatic and light on its feet, the 2022 is classic Asili all the way. Its translucent finesse and energy are remarkable. Today, the 2022 is a bit stern in terms of its tannins. While I don’t see the seductive fruit and inner perfume of Giacosa's best Asilis, the 2022 is still one of the finest wines to emerge from this cellar in years. (Drink between 2027-2040)

The team will not produce a 2022 Riserva release, and the 2022 Barbaresco Asili will be only release from Asili. From this cru with sandier soils, it was aged for 20 months in large barrels. In the glass, it boasts a jewel-toned ruby color and is fresh and ripe with aromas of pure raspberries, wild strawberries, rocky earth, and pressed roses. The palate is fruity and appealing, with refreshing lift, well-defined tannins, even acidity, and a kiss of stone fruit and mouthwatering salinity on the finish. It has just a hint of warmth, but it’s very well-balanced and joyful, making it a pretty vintage of this wine. Drink 2026-2050.These wines were tasted with Paola Giacosa at the estate. (Drink between 2026-2050)

As transparent as it is intense, the nose presents dark cherry and raspberry entwined with mint, lilac and mace. The palate amplifies these perfumes and brings in nuances of truffle and citrus zest. Chalky tannins are refined, and scintillating acidity surges between the layers giving a satisfying crunch on the lingering finish. Harvested on 4 October, the estate’s Asili rises above the challenges of 2022 demonstrating, above all, breed of site and skill of winemaking. Bruna Giacosa confirms that she will not produce any Riserva in 2022, saying that while the vintage resembles 2015 somewhat, it doesn’t have the same ageing potential. (Drink between 2027-2040)