Bruno Giacosa's 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili, which I tasted from magnum, was also magnificent. From bottle the 2000 is starting to fade a little, but in the big bottle it remains youthful, vibrant and impeccable. To be sure, the 2000 won't be terribly long-lived, but we caught it on a day when all the elements were singing. This was a great showing.

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.

The 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is as it always has been; impeccably refined, nuanced and silky from start to finish. I have tasted (or drunk!) this wine at least a dozen times since it was first released. The bouquet shows the faintest signs of positive development while the fruit remains vibrant and beautifully articulated. I don’t see the 2000 Asili Riserva being one of the longest lived Red Labels, but it is unquestionably striking in its beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. AG

Decadent. Starts with wonderfully fresh aromas of sliced plum, cedar, tobacco and meat, then evolves into floral and strawberry aromas. Full-bodied, with ultrafine, silky tannins and gloriously fresh, bright fruit. The refined finish goes on and on. One of the greatest wines ever from Bruno Giacosa. James Suckling

Good deep red. Knockout nose reminded me of great grand cru Burgundy : superripe red fruits, tobacco, minerals and smoke. As chewy as a solid yet utterly smooth, with extraordinary inner-mouth floral character and a sappy sweetness. Expands spectacularly toward the back, finishing with very suave, late-arriving tannins and compelling length. At once more perfumed, concentrated and structured than the Santo Stefano. I underestimated this great wine when I tasted it two years ago.

The 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili was tasted from numerous bottles, both in magnums and 750-milliliter bottles, and pours a medium garnet color. Across the board, while there was undoubtedly a bit of bottle variation, it displayed mature notes of dried cranberries, dusty earth, rhubarb, dried roses, and smoky incense. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine, chalky tannins and a delicately tapering, perfumed finish. While it’s likely just past its peak, it’s showing off plenty of Burgundian-like finesse, and these are corks that are ready to pull.

Served from a magnum, the 2000 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a pale garnet/ruby color. It has a very complex nose not a million miles away from well-endowed Pomerol: tar, plum, savory fruits and a touch of anis all with spine-tingling definition. The palate has firm tannins, superb acidity, quite masculine for a Barbaresco with an incredibly powerful, sumptuous finish with noticeable dry extract. Just a gorgeous wine, but I would not touch it for 3-4 years. Tasted December 2007.