The 2007 Barbaresco Santo Stefano captures all of the qualities that makes this such an appealing vintage. Gracious, aromatic and beautifully lifted, the 2007 offers lovely freshness to balance the overt fruit of the year. On this night, I am quite surprised by how firm the tannins are, which is naturally a very good sign for the wine’s potential longevity. A closing flourish of sweet red cherry, flowers and crushed rocks rounds things out in style.

This has more to chew on than the Asili. A powerful decadent wine that shows off more of the earthy side of things. Full-bodied and delicious but needs to wait until 2015.

Good full red. Aromas of currant, camphor, mocha and cedar lifted by an exotic floral perfume. Silky-sweet, precise and intense, with superb calcaire lift to the red fruit and spice flavors. Wonderfully juicy and imploded wine, finishing with serious but very fine-grained tannins and terrific length.

The 2007 Barbaresco Santo Stefano is a gorgeous wine that combines element of ripeness, structure and the intense spiciness that makes the best wines from the Santo Stefano vineyard so compelling. Floral, high-toned notes appear on the silky finish, rounding out this highly promising wine. Gorgeous textural elegance and balance are the hallmarks of the 2007 Santo Stefano. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. AG