Michele Chiarlo : Asili 2012

The 2012 Barbaresco Asili paints a pretty portrait of Nebbiolo. The vintage had its challenges, but the quality of fruit emerges intact nonetheless. The bouquet sports bright aromas of cherry, cassis and dried apricot. Beyond those prominent fruit aromas are a long list of savory tones that recall grilled rosemary, tobacco, tar and licorice. This Barbaresco offers good structure and lasting intensity.

A bright cherry note leads off in this compact red, followed by earth, spice and tobacco flavors. Firms up on the finish, just falling a bit short. Best from 2018 through 2030. 1,000 cases made.

A Barbaresco with chocolate, orange peel and dried flowers. Full to medium body with a solid core of ripe fruit and silky tannins. Good acidity. Very attractive to drink now but will improve with age.

Barbaresco. Concentrated ruby with orange tinges. Strawberry fruit nose just veering away from being jammy. Lots of cherry and strawberry on the palate and much less sweet than the nose would have you believe. Bags of coating tannins that are a little demanding right now. (WS)

The 2012 Barbaresco Asili looks like it will be an early-maturing wine. Scents of black cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, licorice and menthol open up first. This is a decidedly dark, rich Barbaresco, especially for Asili, where the wines are usually more delicate, floral and red-toned. Hints of brown spice and roasted fruit are further signs that point to a wine likely to offer its best drinking sooner rather than later.

This youthful, full-bodied red is restrained but slowly reveals aromas and flavors of crushed violet, bright red berry, baking spice and tobacco. The tannins are tightly packed so give it a few years to unwind. Drink 2018–2025.