Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Asili 2019

Description

“It finally happened—the world has awakened to one of its greatest wine treasures, the Produttori del Barbaresco. Since 1958, the Produttori has been the reference point for classic Barbaresco. And since their launching in 1967, the Produttori’s Riservas have been the defining expressions of Rabajà, Asili, Ovello and Barbaresco’s other noble vineyards.

The Produttori was founded in the crushing poverty of the 1950s, when the parish priest organized 19 struggling growers to make wine communally. With time, the Produttori grew to about sixty members—owning the lion’s share of the greatest vineyards. Even today, many of Barbaresco’s best growers are members, occupying the greatest sites and pooling their fruit. In lesser years, only one wine is made, but in great vintages, up to ten magical Barbarescos can be made: the often astonishing flagship Barbaresco plus nine single-cru Riservas. The Produttori still uses traditional methods: an 18 to 21-day primary fermentation with aging for up to three years in botti. Such techniques yield gloriously transparent wines, affording a unique opportunity to explore the region’s finest terroirs.

“Though one of Piedmont’s greatest producers, the Produttori has long lived in the shadow of more famous names like Giacosa and Gaja. It was not until recently, thanks to the outspoken advocacy of critics like Antonio Galloni and John Gilman that the Produttori is getting the attention it deserves …

“The Produttori’s nine crus or vineyards lie on steep slopes composed of the classic firm clay and limestone marl of the Langhe. Those from the northernmost chain of hills—Ovello, Montefico and Montestefano–have a higher clay content and are known for their rich earthy, meaty flavors, full body and firm structure. To the south are Pajé and Moccagatta, noted for their intensity and elegance. Still further south is perhaps Barbaresco’s greatest slope, boasting the southfacing Asili, Rabajà and Pora. Below these three icons is the solitary southwest-facing slope of Rio Sordo, whose opulent Barbaresco exudes aromas of black cherry and truffle.

“In each vintage, the juice from these crus is blended to produce a single Barbaresco which is one of the great wine values not only of Italy, but the world. But in great years, part of the production of each vineyard is set aside for an additional year of aging and for separate bottling as a single-vineyard Riserva. When these Riservas are made, they constitute the quintessential examples of Barbaresco’s greatest terroirs.”  From Importer, The Rare Wine Co.

“Under the direction of Managing Director Aldo Vacca, the Produttori are making some of the most distinguished wines in their history.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

About the 2019 vintage from the winery: “Vintage looks promising with high sugar level as it was expected from the hot summer, and good polyphenolic profile, which should ensure wines with good structure and excellent ageing potential. Worthy of note in particular is the high accumulation of anthocyanins, so wines can be expected to have excellent color and complexity. All considered, the vintage can be said to be a classic one, with a quality production despite a drop in quantity compared to the previous year.”

ABOUT THE ASILI VINEYARD: This 7.5 acre vineyard resides in a geological bowl, protecting the vines from wind and humidity. The vineyard’s poor soil results in a complex minerality in the final wine. Asili has a great aging potential, but shows a distinct personality early on. The first vintage of Asili was produced in 1970.

100 points, Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast “The drop-dead gorgeous Barbaresco 2019 Asili Riserva from the Produttori del Barbaresco stuns with its extreme finesse and heady scents of wild rose, red berry, camphor, leather and brown spice. Full-bodied and vibrant, the elegant, linear palate delivers red cherry, blood orange, star anise and ground clove alongside youthfully tight but extremely refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced and energized, lending great tension. It’s a superb expression of this celebrated site and the fantastic vintage. An absolute stunner. Drink 2029–2044.” Tasted January 2024.

96 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator “I find Asili always the most elegant and linear of the range. The 2019 Asili displays bright strawberry, cherry and orange peel flavors, very vertical and sleek. This has fine structure and finesse; it’s the most closed of the range at this stage, but it’s long, with terrific potential.” Tasted March 2024.

94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a very pretty, silky wine that shows all the signatures of this site in its refined, mid-weight personality. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cedar, mint and tobacco all grace this classy Barbaresco. The 2019 is classic Asili, with firm tannins from the year.” Tasted Sept 2023.

RRP $231 – EXTREMELY LIMITED – Our Special Price $199.99 – LIMITED TO 1 PER CUSTOMER.