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Barbaresco ‘Asili‘ - Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo | Asili Cru in Barbaresco
Asili is a prestigious and historic Added Geographical Indication of the Barbaresco Docg, a designation which has made vinification possible in only four municipal districts in Langhe: Alba, Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso.
A majestic and ample cru, which turns 360° around the eponymous hamlet. The first label with the name Asili goes back to 1967. A cru «indisputable character which gives the Barbaresco elegance, finesse and charm […] a terroir with rare personality», (Atlas of the vineyards of Langa, edited by Carlo Petrini, Slow Food Editore, 2000, p. 262). The excellent exposure and the calcareous clay soils, rich in microelements, give the wines produced here a great complexity, their delicate and silky finish: the “quintessence of refinement»
(Barbaresco MGA, Alessandro Masnaghetti Editore, 2016, p.52)
Bruno Giacosa’s vinification technique has been termed “updated traditional”:
Nebbiolo grapes, for example, are picked earlier, at optimum ripeness determined by
a combination of scientific analysis and hands-on experience. The grapes are
macerated for closer to 30 days than the time-honoured 50. This timing still taps into
the power and depth of Nebbiolo but produces wines with more finesse. In
maturation, Giacosa has not been tempted towards the fashionable use of small,
225l French barriques, instead staying with huge 5,000l Slovenian and French oak
botte, many of them 25 years old
Known as the Genius of Neive, Bruno Giacosa’s mastery of the Nebbiolo grape is
recognised in Piedmont and the wider world of wine alike - although the organisation
produces more than just Barolo and Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa sadly passed away in
January 2018. But having suffered a stroke in 2006, it is his daughter Bruna, who has
been driving this great wine estate forward in recent years, supported by her sister
Marina. And, having worked at Neive for 16 years until 2008, oenologist Dante
Scaglione returned in 2011 as a consultant.
The family name was first established in the Langhe in 1871 by Bruno Giacosa’s
grandfather Carlo Giacosa - as a commerciante di vini, building a network of
excellent local growers and vinifying their grapes at the winery in Neive, near Alba.
After World War II, the 15-year-old Bruno joined his father Mario in the family
business.
The prestigious Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili and Rabajà are neighbours but have
different soils and clearly definable characteristics: the former has unmatched
elegance and delicacy, while the latter is full-bodied and rich.
Review:
The 2012 Barbaresco Asili is the finest wine I have tasted from Bruno Giacosa since the 2007 vintage. A bright, beautifully translucent red, the 2012 Asili captures the essence of this great site in its perfumed aromatics, silky fruit and understated depth. Hints of orange zest, rose petal, cinnamon and pine are laced into the resonant, alluring finish. Already quite open and expressive, the 2012 should drink well for the next decade or so. Giacosa fans will find much to admire in the sexy, open-knit 2012 Asili. This is a tremendous showing, and one of the very best 2012s readers will come across. 94/100 Vinous - Galloni
Bruno Giacosa's 2012 Barbaresco Asili benefitted from a warm growing season. The wine opens to a dark, compact appearance and shows an impressive level of aromatic intensity and complexity. The tannins are slightly less mature and more astringent in 2012 compared to 2011. This bodes well for the aging potential of this beautiful wine. Fresh acidity caps a very pretty portrait of the Nebbiolo grape. This is a lovely offering from this historic producer.
Bruna Giacosa tells me that the 2014 vintage posed greater challenges to the Barolo area than it did to Barbaresco. Barolo got twice the rainfall compared to Barbaresco. Specific pinpoint areas of Monforte d'Alba and La Morra lost up to 80% of their crop to the soggy conditions. The Barbaresco area lost 20% on average in return. 94/100 Parker - Larner
