Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco Asili, 2007

Bruno Giacosa reserved his red label for only the greatest wines, and in 2007 he gave it to this Barbaresco from the legendary Asili vineyard, meaning this is a Riserva-level bottling from one of Piedmont's most revered names. Giacosa built his reputation on classical Nebbiolo, no barriques or modern tricks, just large oak, patience, and an uncanny read of terroir. Asili, in the village of Barbaresco, gives wines of grace and perfume, and this bottle now carries the sweet, mature complexity that comes with proper age. It is drinking wonderfully today, a benchmark expression of traditional Barbaresco for a special occasion.