Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco Asili di Barbaresco Riserva 1990

Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili di Barbaresco Riserva 1990 is one of the landmark bottlings from both this legendary producer and the famed Asili cru. Drawn only from the very best barrels in an already outstanding vintage, this Riserva captures Nebbiolo at its most refined and ageworthy. For collectors and connoisseurs alike, it represents a rare chance to experience mature Barbaresco from one of Piemonte’s greatest traditionalists.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the wine shows a deep garnet core with a brick-orange rim, a classic sign of beautifully evolved Nebbiolo. The nose is hauntingly complex, unfolding with layers of dried rose petals, violets, ripe and macerated cherries, truffle, tobacco leaf, worn leather and balsamic nuances, underpinned by earthy tones and a touch of dried herbs. On the palate, this 1990 Asili Riserva is both powerful and supremely elegant, with a medium to full body carried by vibrant, still-lively acidity. Flavours of sour cherry, redcurrant and dried cranberry intermingle with notes of forest floor, licorice, tar, spice and savoury umami complexity. The tannins are finely grained and perfectly integrated, offering structure without harshness, and the long, persistent finish echoes Asili’s hallmark combination of intensity, mineral precision and graceful balance. The 1990 vintage is now fully mature and in a superb drinking window, yet top bottles remain vital and can continue to develop additional tertiary nuance over the coming years.

Production
Asili is one of Barbaresco’s most prized crus, with south to southwest-facing slopes in the heart of the appellation and soils dominated by calcareous marl. This combination of exposure and limestone-rich subsoil gives Nebbiolo grapes excellent ripeness, aromatic purity and natural finesse. In 1990, a warm, stable growing season with hot days and cool nights delivered fully ripe fruit with remarkable concentration and structure. Bruno Giacosa, known for his uncompromising, traditional approach, harvested by hand and subjected the Nebbiolo to a long maceration to maximise colour, aroma and tannin extraction. After fermentation, the wine was aged for around 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti, followed by several years of bottle ageing before release, allowing the powerful structure to knit together and the bouquet to gain its now-iconic complexity.

Food & Serving
This mature Barbaresco is an outstanding partner for refined, flavourful dishes such as white truffle risotto, tajarin with butter and sage, braised veal or beef (brasato al Barolo style), roast lamb, game birds, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or mature Pecorino. Serve at around 18 °C in large Burgundy-style or Nebbiolo glasses to allow the aromatics to fully express themselves. Decant gently 2–3 hours before serving, both to let the bouquet open and to separate the wine from any natural sediment formed during its long ageing.

Producer
Bruno Giacosa is one of the most revered names in Piemonte, often mentioned in the same breath as the region’s greatest traditional producers. Working from the mid-20th century onwards, Giacosa helped define the classic style of Barbaresco and Barolo: long macerations, ageing in large Slavonian oak and an unwavering focus on vineyard expression. His bottlings from top crus such as Asili have become benchmarks for Nebbiolo worldwide, prized for their purity, depth and extraordinary longevity. The Riserva releases, made only in exceptional vintages like 1990, are produced in very limited quantities and are considered among the most collectible and historically significant wines in the Barbaresco DOCG.

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