Carlo Giacosa 2018 Barbaresco ‘Asili’ Piemonte

Asili fruit is always a special occasion, and with Carlo, its minerality and supple mouthfeel are on full display. Produced in a cool-ish vintage, this 2018 is a bit of a beast, showing more savory, earth and backbone than Carlo’s usual elegance. After a stretch in the decanter, it relaxes into itself showing crush roses, licorice and a little baking spice. Yum!

One of Barbaresco’s hidden gems is Carlo Giacosa, one of the original growers of the cooperative Produttori del Barbaresco back in the 1960’s. Today, they produce some of the finest Barbaresco today, with this Montefico bottling rising above the rest. I first had this wine in 2022 in the village square in downtown Barbaresco and was blown away! Carlo is a second-generation winemaker for the Giacosa family, farming just 5 hectar of some of the most sought after vines in Barbaresco (Ovello, Montefico, Montestefano, Cole). They work organically in the vineyard and classically in the winery, producing wines that speak immediately of place. This is his 2018 Asili, one of the Grand Cru’s of Barbaresco. Asili always settles between the weight of Montestefano and nuance of Montefico, in this sommeliers estimation. There is a line of minerality in Asili, which sometimes can be overwhelmed by oak or excessive ripeness. Carlo is always hands-off, meaning he never overwhelms the terroir begging to come out. This 2018 is a refined wine trapped in a thrash metal concert.

WINEMAKER: Carlo Giacosa

VARIETAL: 100% Nebbiolo

APPELLATION: Asili, Village of Barbaresco, Langhe

REGION: Piemonte

IN THE VINEYARD: Sustainable

IN THE WINERY: Extended macerations, botti-aged

ABV%: 14.5

SERVE: Open, let stand for 30min, serve in a Burgundy-shaped glass