Bruno Giacosa
Bruno Giacosa is an internationally respected winemaker with some of the most impressive Barolo and Barbaresco single-vineyard wines. He is the 3rd generation of this family business from their cellars in Nieve in the Langhe. He also sources grapes from local growers that whom the family has long-established relations. The wines have a fantastic bouquet and a full-bodied palate but also real elegance for the region.
Often credited as one of the producers to put Barbaresco on the map, Bruno Giacosa joined the family’s winemaking business at the age of 15, buying what he felt were the best grapes from his network of growers. He acquired the Falleto vineyard in Barolo (relatively) recently in 1982, and selected plots in Barbaresco in 1996. In 1964, Giacosa began single-vineyard bottlings of Barolo and Barbaresco with the cru names indicated on the labels with the very first being from the San Stefano vineyard – reportedly Giacosa’s single favourite wine of his entire career. Giacosa's daughter Bruna has been in charge since 2006.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€964.38 |
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Wine Advocate (93)This is a difficult wine to find in the marketplace and it is rarely presented for official review. In fact, the last time it was produced was way back in 2008. The 2014 Barbaresco sees fruit sourced from the lower part of the Asili cru with some smaller amounts from Rabajà. This is a very opulent and rich expression with forward determination and power. This is an unusual vintage with a cool summer and a very warm pre-harvest period. It produced interesting wines specifically in Barbaresco and almost nowhere else in Northern Italy. The quality of fruit is ripe and a touch sweet. Its texture is succulent and soft. The wine feels like it could be ready to drink now, but it also has the pedigree and beautiful inner structure for long cellar aging. |
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Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€990.78 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,276.42 |
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Vinous (93)(white label): Captivating flower perfume lifts aromas of raspberry, menthol and mint. Seamless in texture but a bit youthfully imploded, offering terrific red fruit intensity without weight. Quite spicy for Asili. Nicely balanced, silky, floral Barbaresco, finishing with continuing spice notes as well as serious, building tannins for Asili. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,025.58 |
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James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€977.58 |
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James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€662.65 |
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James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,007.58 |
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James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€984.78 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,312.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€4,064.93 |
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James Suckling (98)The nose alone on this is reason enough to buy this. Rich and decadent with dried meats, dried mushrooms, ripe fruits, all tied together by flowers and a light cigar box character. The palate isn't bad either, loads of dried fruits, full-bodied and rich. Total decadence with a wild character. Makes me smile. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 99 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€6,932.93 |
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Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€5,464.38 |
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Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,494.38 |
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James Suckling (99)This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche de Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Decadent. Dried mushrooms. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. So refined. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,796.93 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,302.21 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,789.45 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€3,436.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 4 | - |
Inc. TAX
€2,938.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,364.95 |
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Vinous (94)The 1990 Barbareso Gallina is simply awesome. The wine boasts a seamless core of rich red fruits in a soft, generous style. This opulent Barbaresco possesses impeccable balance and tons of class. Floral notes intermingled with bright red fruits provide lift on the finish, adding lovely balance to the dense fruit. This is the most approachable of Giacosa's 1990s but has plenty of stuffing to last another twenty years. The 1978 is still going strong. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,996.21 |
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Vinous (96+)My guess is that one day Giacosa's Barbaresco Rabajà will be viewed as the most successful of his 2000 Barbareschi. I loved the wine's structure and power. Endless layers of mineral and balsamic-infused fruit caressed the palate through to the finish. Wow! |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,378.38 |
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Vinous (96)The 2014 Barbaresco Rabajà is gorgeous. Powerful and explosive, the 2014 possesses stunning depth and intensity in all of its dimensions. Spice, menthol and orange peel give the 2014 a level of exoticism that is compelling, while beams of searing tannin announce the presence and pedigree of Rabajà. Intense, tannic and yet also very precise, with soaring structure and terrific persistence, the 2014 Rabajà is the best wine the Bruno Giacosa estate has made in many years. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,330.38 |
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James Suckling (99)The purity of fruit to this is incredible with cherry, plum and white truffle. Hints of ash and stone. Roses. Full body, superb texture of super fine tannins and incredible length. The harmony is so mesmorizing. Elegance and length. Bright energy. Tiny production. Try in 2022 when it comes together. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,618.38 |
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Vinous (93)The 2016 Barbaresco Rabajà is very nicely done. It offers up an enticing mélange of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, licorice, sage, tobacco and menthol, all in a relatively mid-weight, light style for this site. The 2016 won't make Giacosa fans forget about the 2001 or 2004, but it is certainly very nicely balanced. Overall, the 2016 is a bit light for Rabajà, but attractive if taken on its own terms. It should drink well for another decade or so. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,384.38 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€2,368.49 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 87 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€976.21 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (87)The 2008 Barbaresco Santo Stefano has the same color the 1987 had when it was 20 years old, which is to say almost rose colored. I don’t think the 2008 will make its 20th birthday, however. This is a light, translucent, fleeting wine with very little fruit and body. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 89 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€10,640.87 |
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Vinous (89)Now, after many years of trying and countless poor/flawed bottles, I can finally say I have had what is likely a representative bottle of Giacosa’s 1988 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano. Lithe and ethereal on the palate, the 1988 is now fully mature, but also has just enough freshness to last for another few years if stored in a perfect cellar. Scents of dried cherry, menthol, worn-in leather, molasses and tobacco shape the lilting finish. Every bottle of the 1988 I have ever tasted in the US has been flawed. This bottle, from a European cellar, is at least sound. The 1988 is holding onto the last vestiges of life. It is also a rare miss from Bruno Giacosa in a decade that yielded so many truly memorable wines. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€2,001.73 |
|||||
Vinous (98)Of the wines of the 1980s, the 1989 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano vies for the 1982 as the best wine of a decade that saw Bruno Giacosa make a dizzying array of stunning Barolos and Barbarescos. Still explosive and heady, the 1989 captures the best of Santo Stefano vineyard as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa. There’s not much more to say. Heady Nebbiolo aromatics and dense fruit infuse this exotic, deeply satisfying Barbaresco from Bruno Giacosa. The 1989 was the first young Giacosa Riserva I bought on release. The price was $55 a bottle, which was a fortune for me at the time. Many things have changed since then. But the wine? Well, it is as monumental as ever. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€6,584.93 |
|||||
Vinous (97)The second night of this vertical gets started in grand style. Bruno Giacosa’s 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano plays true to type. Powerful in the glass, with the soft contours and glycerin richness of a warm vintage, the 1990 possesses superb pedigree from the very first taste. Heady, intense and flamboyant, the 1990 is peaking today. It will hold for another decade or more, but I don’t see much upside to be gained from further cellaring. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€476.87 |
|||||
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
€785.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)This is a difficult wine to find in the marketplace and it is rarely presented for official review. In fact, the last time it was produced was way back in 2008. The 2014 Barbaresco sees fruit sourced from the lower part of the Asili cru with some smaller amounts from Rabajà. This is a very opulent and rich expression with forward determination and power. This is an unusual vintage with a cool summer and a very warm pre-harvest period. It produced interesting wines specifically in Barbaresco and almost nowhere else in Northern Italy. The quality of fruit is ripe and a touch sweet. Its texture is succulent and soft. The wine feels like it could be ready to drink now, but it also has the pedigree and beautiful inner structure for long cellar aging. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€807.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,045.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)(white label): Captivating flower perfume lifts aromas of raspberry, menthol and mint. Seamless in texture but a bit youthfully imploded, offering terrific red fruit intensity without weight. Quite spicy for Asili. Nicely balanced, silky, floral Barbaresco, finishing with continuing spice notes as well as serious, building tannins for Asili. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 2 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
€836.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
€796.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€546.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€821.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€802.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,075.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 2 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€3,375.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)The nose alone on this is reason enough to buy this. Rich and decadent with dried meats, dried mushrooms, ripe fruits, all tied together by flowers and a light cigar box character. The palate isn't bad either, loads of dried fruits, full-bodied and rich. Total decadence with a wild character. Makes me smile. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 99 (VN) |
In Bond
€5,765.00 |
|||||
Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (VN) |
In Bond
€4,535.00 |
|||||
Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€2,060.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche de Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Decadent. Dried mushrooms. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. So refined. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,485.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,900.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
In Bond
€1,485.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€2,845.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 4 | - |
In Bond
€2,430.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,130.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 1990 Barbareso Gallina is simply awesome. The wine boasts a seamless core of rich red fruits in a soft, generous style. This opulent Barbaresco possesses impeccable balance and tons of class. Floral notes intermingled with bright red fruits provide lift on the finish, adding lovely balance to the dense fruit. This is the most approachable of Giacosa's 1990s but has plenty of stuffing to last another twenty years. The 1978 is still going strong. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 96+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,645.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96+)My guess is that one day Giacosa's Barbaresco Rabajà will be viewed as the most successful of his 2000 Barbareschi. I loved the wine's structure and power. Endless layers of mineral and balsamic-infused fruit caressed the palate through to the finish. Wow! |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,130.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96)The 2014 Barbaresco Rabajà is gorgeous. Powerful and explosive, the 2014 possesses stunning depth and intensity in all of its dimensions. Spice, menthol and orange peel give the 2014 a level of exoticism that is compelling, while beams of searing tannin announce the presence and pedigree of Rabajà. Intense, tannic and yet also very precise, with soaring structure and terrific persistence, the 2014 Rabajà is the best wine the Bruno Giacosa estate has made in many years. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,090.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)The purity of fruit to this is incredible with cherry, plum and white truffle. Hints of ash and stone. Roses. Full body, superb texture of super fine tannins and incredible length. The harmony is so mesmorizing. Elegance and length. Bright energy. Tiny production. Try in 2022 when it comes together. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,330.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2016 Barbaresco Rabajà is very nicely done. It offers up an enticing mélange of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, licorice, sage, tobacco and menthol, all in a relatively mid-weight, light style for this site. The 2016 won't make Giacosa fans forget about the 2001 or 2004, but it is certainly very nicely balanced. Overall, the 2016 is a bit light for Rabajà, but attractive if taken on its own terms. It should drink well for another decade or so. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,135.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,970.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 87 (WA) |
In Bond
€795.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (87)The 2008 Barbaresco Santo Stefano has the same color the 1987 had when it was 20 years old, which is to say almost rose colored. I don’t think the 2008 will make its 20th birthday, however. This is a light, translucent, fleeting wine with very little fruit and body. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 89 (VN) |
In Bond
€8,845.00 |
|||||
Vinous (89)Now, after many years of trying and countless poor/flawed bottles, I can finally say I have had what is likely a representative bottle of Giacosa’s 1988 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano. Lithe and ethereal on the palate, the 1988 is now fully mature, but also has just enough freshness to last for another few years if stored in a perfect cellar. Scents of dried cherry, menthol, worn-in leather, molasses and tobacco shape the lilting finish. Every bottle of the 1988 I have ever tasted in the US has been flawed. This bottle, from a European cellar, is at least sound. The 1988 is holding onto the last vestiges of life. It is also a rare miss from Bruno Giacosa in a decade that yielded so many truly memorable wines. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,665.00 |
|||||
Vinous (98)Of the wines of the 1980s, the 1989 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano vies for the 1982 as the best wine of a decade that saw Bruno Giacosa make a dizzying array of stunning Barolos and Barbarescos. Still explosive and heady, the 1989 captures the best of Santo Stefano vineyard as interpreted by Bruno Giacosa. There’s not much more to say. Heady Nebbiolo aromatics and dense fruit infuse this exotic, deeply satisfying Barbaresco from Bruno Giacosa. The 1989 was the first young Giacosa Riserva I bought on release. The price was $55 a bottle, which was a fortune for me at the time. Many things have changed since then. But the wine? Well, it is as monumental as ever. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
€5,475.00 |
|||||
Vinous (97)The second night of this vertical gets started in grand style. Bruno Giacosa’s 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano plays true to type. Powerful in the glass, with the soft contours and glycerin richness of a warm vintage, the 1990 possesses superb pedigree from the very first taste. Heady, intense and flamboyant, the 1990 is peaking today. It will hold for another decade or more, but I don’t see much upside to be gained from further cellaring. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€375.00 |
|||||