Bruno Giacosa: Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive Riserva 1998

Galloni über: Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive Riserva

-- Galloni: Giacosa's 1998 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano is one of those wines that passed with very little fanfare in the market when it was first released. For several years thereafter, it could be found at or around its release price. When it was young, the 1998 was explosive and deeply spiced. Time has mellowed some of the wine's pure intensity, but the signature exotic floral/spiced aromatics are still quite prominent. The 1998 needs a few hours of air to fully blossom, but it is superb. I imagine the 1998 will reward readers with another 15-20 years of fine drinking, even if it is not likely to join the handful of vintages that represent the pinnacle of achievement in Santo Stefano. 96/100