The fruit for this wine comes from the mostly south-facing aspect of the Asili cru, with an average vine age of 60 years. The winemaking is like the other Barbarescos. This is for some the most compelling of the Luisin Barbarescos, with a textbook Nebbiolo red colour and an intriguing bouquet of so many elements that come together in harmony. Classic varietal characters of liquorice root, rose petal and anise, alongside brighter fruit aromas of pomegranate, cherry and raspberry, with savoury, herbal notes in the background – tar, leather and sandalwood – are all in the mix. There is beautiful energy to this wine, with fresh acidity, silky and curt but generous fruit and soft tannin, a perfect reflection of the classic 2019 vintage.
New leather, forest berry and spice aromas come to the forefront along with an earthy whiff of underbrush. On the taut, youthfully austere palate, fine-grained tannins accompany ripe raspberry, strawberry compote and grated nutmeg. This sill benefit with a few more years in the bottle aging. 94 points. — Kerin O’Keefe.
