1990 Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva
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Tasting notes
The 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano (magnum) is a last-minute addition to the lineup and also one of the most breathtaking wines of the night. Of course, the magnum format helps, but the 1990 is captivating from the moment I taste it. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice and mint are some of the many nuances that develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s mind-blowing balance that steals the day.
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The second night of this vertical gets started in grand style. Bruno Giacosa’s 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano plays true to type. Powerful in the glass, with the soft contours and glycerin richness of a warm vintage, the 1990 possesses superb pedigree from the very first taste. Heady, intense and flamboyant, the 1990 is peaking today. It will hold for another decade or more, but I don’t see much upside to be gained from further cellaring.
Bruno Giacosa’s 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano is a great example of the vintage. Expressive and wonderfully immediate, the 1990 rushes across the palate with an exotic and beguiling array of aromas and flavors, all with that extra bit of 1990 volume that makes this vintage so appealing.
Pale brownish rust. Lightly tarry nose. Firm start and then wonderfully broad spread across the palate. Fumy. Very dry finish, Neat and savoury on the end. (JR)
About the producer
Bruno Giacosa – now run by daughter Bruna – is a cult Nebbiolo producer, that has consistently made some of the best single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo from the 1960s onwards. The“red-label” Riservas are some of the finest and most collectable wines in Italy.