“Perhaps the greatest compliment I could confer on Bruno Giacosa is that there are no wines in the world I buy without tasting them first, except for those of his.” – Robert Parker

This… by one of the most important winemakers of his generation. From one of the single most celebrated vineyard sites in Piemonte. And from one of the greatest vintages in recent memory. Does this seem too good to be true?!

Put another way, this is the Italian equivalent of finding a bottle of Schrader To Kalon with close to ten years of maturation for less than $40… But it just happens to be Cabernet Franc… too good to be true, right?!

In truth, Barbera has largely flown under the radar of aficionados of Piemontese wines. And here is where its true value lies. When we popped this bottle at HQ, there was no doubt this was a serious wine – loaded with dried and fresh blackberries, with perfectly integrated toasty exotic spices of oak aging and developing leather and earthy complexity. The finish carries plenty of freshness and lingers long and savory on the palate.

Known simply as “the Maestro,” Bruno Giacosa is without a doubt one of the most important winemakers in the modern history of Piemonte. “His contributions to Italian wine and his beloved Piedmont are beyond measure,” as none other than Robert Parker puts it. Wine Spectator also praised this titan’s legacy, “Bruno Giacosa, one of the greatest winemakers of Italy’s Piedmont region, known for beautiful Barbarescos, Barolos and Barberas that emphasized elegance and finesse over power, yet they were capable of aging beautifully… he could never be labeled a traditionalist or modernist. He was simply Bruno Giacosa, the Maestro, making ethereal wines vintage after vintage that were highly sought around the world.”

Beginning his six-decade-long career in a region that traditionally blended fruit from different sites, the Wine Advocate emphasized how, “Bruno Giacosa was among the first visionaries to understand the importance of the Langhe cru, and the unique expressions that are obtained with a single-vineyard winemaking philosophy.” He was instrumental in searching for and identifying the best historic sites in the region. Which led him, in 1982, to purchase Falletto in Serralunga di Alba. Located just south of the village of Serralunga, the vineyard is an amphitheater facing south-west, with ideal sun exposure during late-day temperatures for perfect ripeness.

And in a great vintage, having such an ideal site pays huge dividends. “In so many ways, 2016 is all about being in the right place at the right time… An ideal growing season with all the prerequisites for a great vintage,” mentions Antonio Galloni of Vinous, going on to add “In tasting, what stands out most about the 2016s is their extraordinary balance and harmony.”

Nebbiolo from this vineyard goes for $300+ per bottle. But Barbera? In an article titled Affordable Piedmont Galloni praised the variety as among, “some of the best Piedmont values I tasted…” Bruno Giacosa is among the few, like Borgogno or Vietti, that arguably treat the variety with the respect it deserves, paying careful attention to farming and aging it in French Oak barriques to add complexity.

Sadly, Bruno passed away in 2018, making this one of the last wines he oversaw. His daughter, Bruna Giacosa, working by his side since 1982, along with longtime enologist Dante Scaglione, carry on his legacy of traditional winemaking methods and produce some of the world’s most revered wines.

Perfectly matured and drinking beautifully – the 2016 is a must-buy not just for Italian enthusiasts, but for any fan of savory aged reds. This is your chance to steal a wine from one of the last vintages this absolute legend produced.

As you can imagine, there isn’t much to go around – grab yours now!

93 Points – James Suckling “Loads of blackberries and blueberries here with citrus peel and flowers. Full body, juicy fruit, and a vivid and fruity finish. Lots of citrus peel underneath it all. Drink or hold.”