The 2004 Barbaresco Sori' Paitin Vecchie Vigne is marvelous. Dark red berries, crushed flowers, smoke, ash and tar are just some of the notes that emege from this big yet beautifully articulated Vecchie Vigne. The 2004 shows superb class and fabulous overall balance. As always this is a fairly large-scaled Barbaresco, but all of the elements meld together beautifully. A long, sensual finish rounds things out in style. With air the 2004 is approachable today, but it clearly has the stuffing and freshness to drink well to age 25, perhaps beyond. The Vecchie Vigne captures the essence of this great Piedmontese vintage in spades.

(from a massale selection planted in 1953 on soil rich in limestone) Good full, bright, deep red. Slightly reduced but highly complex aromas of black cherry, violet, minerals and menthol. Densely packed but sharply delineated, with captivating, insidious sweetness leavened by harmonious, ripe acidity. Youthful, pure flavors of red and black fruits. A silky midweight with lovely fruit and a strong impression of energy. This is a bit like the 1990 in its acidity but has more flesh and riper tannins, notes Giovanni. I find this much easier to taste today than the regular Barbaresco. Offers superb potential. This was scheduled to have been bottled in October and will be released next April.