The utterly perfect, dense ruby/purple-colored 1996 Barbaresco Asili (Red Label Riserva) is a heroic offering brilliantly displaying both power and elegance. The bouquet develops incrementally, offering up aromas of black raspberries, cherries, cigar box, licorice, and leather. The wine impresses with its nuances as well as its extraordinarily rich, dense mid-palate, and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. There is huge tannin, but equally massive concentration, extract, and overall harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025.- RP

The 1996 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is just starting to show the first signs of aromatic development. It is both elegant, but also quite powerful, in the style of the year. Spice, leather, tobacco and incense lend notable aromatic presence. As good as the 1996 is, and it is terrific, it also doesn’t have the purity of wines like the 2000, 2001 and 2004. -- Antonio Galloni

Lots of raspberry, mushroom and black cherry, with a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, fruity finish. Still a little reserved, but shows lovely fruit. A gorgeous wine. Goes on and on.--1996 Piedmont retrospective. Best after 2008. 1,190 cases made. — JS