Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco, Asili Riserva 2014

The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is somber and dense in this vintage. Silky Asili tannins bring out the wine's voluptuousness and soft contours. Dark red cherry and plum fruit show some of the typical Asili sensuality, but the 2014 is a powerhouse that is going to need time to come around. In 2014, Asili is unusually – almost uncharacteristically – austere.

The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a beautifully complete expression that shows precise and incisive aromatic intensity, followed by firm structure and impressive length. There is a brief interlude of mineral dustiness on the mid-palate that passes briefly to reveal more ripe cherry fruit on the close. I'm not sure what the total acidity is, but this expression gives the impression of being slightly less fresh than some of the other single-vineyard wines in this series of Riservas.