Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2017

Bruno Giacosa established himself in Barbaresco from 1960, working alongside the appellation's leading names, and this wine comes from Asili, a steep cru above the village of Barbaresco. The hillside sits on calcareous marl with good drainage and full southerly exposure, which ripens Nebbiolo more readily than the cooler sites and gives Asili its perfume and finesse. The continental climate, with a wide swing between warm days and cold nights through harvest, holds the acidity and builds the aromatic complexity the grape is prized for. The wine is aged 30 months in wood, where measured oxygen contact rounds the young tannins and adds savoury, leathery depth while keeping the fruit clear. The colour is a translucent garnet. The nose opens with rose petal, sour cherry and orange peel, then leather, tobacco and a stony minerality. The palate is fine boned and elegant, with bright acidity, polished tannins and a long savoury finish that marks the cru. It drinks well now and will hold for many years. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decant ahead, and use a wide glass. Good with roast meats, game and earthy mushroom dishes.