Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
A clear and transparent Asili with floral, sage, crushed-stone, mushroom and berry aromas that follow through to a full body with round tannins that are a little aggressive, but in a good way. Crunchy and fresh at the end. Citrusy undertones. Savory.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is distinguished by its extremely linear and direct approach with wild rose, cassis and lots of mineral or crushed stone. The wine is taut and fresh on the palate with a medium-lean texture and lots of depth and persistence. I love those bright rose petal-like nuances on the close of this wine, and the tannins are firm and silky. This bottle boasts a unique identity in this group of Riservas. Best After 2025. Rating: 95+
-
Wine & Spirits
Like all of Produttori’s single-cru Riservas, Asili spends three years in large oak barrels then ages for several months in bottle. This 2017 is dense and powerful, its violet-scented blackcherry flavors gripped by meaty tannins, packed with notes of thyme, lavender and licorice. It gains depth with time in the glass, a firmly-structured wine that will benefit from cellaring.
-
Wine Spectator
Packs a winning combination of ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, with tar, iron, eucalyptus and tobacco accents. Delivering a rich, densely tannic texture, this is powerful and resonant, with plenty of energy on the long, vibrant aftertaste. Balanced, yet begs for patience. Best from 2027 through 2045.
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
A wine that most perfectly conveys the spirit and essence of its place, Barbaresco is true reflection of terroir. Its star grape, like that in the neighboring Barolo region, is Nebbiolo. Four townships within the Barbaresco zone can produce Barbaresco: the actual village of Barbaresco, as well as Neive, Treiso and San Rocco Seno d'Elvio.
Broadly speaking there are more similarities in the soils of Barbaresco and Barolo than there are differences. Barbaresco’s soils are approximately of the same two major soil types as Barolo: blue-grey marl of the Tortonion epoch, producing more fragile and aromatic characteristics, and Helvetian white yellow marl, which produces wines with more structure and tannins.
Nebbiolo ripens earlier in Barbaresco than in Barolo, primarily due to the vineyards’ proximity to the Tanaro River and lower elevations. While the wines here are still powerful, Barbaresco expresses a more feminine side of Nebbiolo, often with softer tannins, delicate fruit and an elegant perfume. Typical in a well-made Barbaresco are expressions of rose petal, cherry, strawberry, violets, smoke and spice. These wines need a few years before they reach their peak, the best of which need over a decade or longer. Bottle aging adds more savory characteristics, such as earth, iron and dried fruit.