2005 Barbaresco Valeirano

The 2005 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano opens with a huge, brooding nose of smoke, tar, and scorched earth. This massive, building wine changes constantly in the glass, as black cherries, wild herbs, menthol and licorice gradually take center stage. Despite its large-scaled personality, the wine possesses tons of harmony. Sweet notes of menthol and tar linger on the long finish. This explosive Barbaresco is impressive for the way it marries power to elegance in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Giorgio Rivetti has another set of very solid wines on his hands with his 2005 Barbarescos. The wines have always shown terrific balance and are just a notch or two below his 2004s. Importer: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021

(from 38-year-old vines in a high, rocky vineyard in Treiso) Medium red. Pungent red fruits and oak on the deep nose. Fat, sweet and deep, with a plump texture enlivened by good firm acidity. Less perfumed now than the Gallina but perhaps longer. This offers excellent depth and length and a enticing edge of acidity to frame the plush finishing fruit.

The 2005 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano opens with a huge, brooding nose of smoke, tar, and scorched earth. This massive, building wine changes constantly in the glass, as black cherries, wild herbs, menthol and licorice gradually take center stage. Despite its large-scaled personality, the wine possesses tons of harmony. Sweet notes of menthol and tar linger on the long finish. This explosive Barbaresco is impressive for the way it marries power to elegance in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate # 179 Oct 2008