2012 Barbaresco Santo Stefano
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Barbaresco Santo Stefano is a wine of depth and austerity. It shows the black and ripe fruit exuberance of the vintage, but it also holds back with extra firmness and structure. The bouquet is immediate, but this wine holds forward over time, thanks to the firm grip and tenacity it delivers to the palate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Barbaresco Albesani Santo Stefano is the richest of these three Barbarescos from Castello di Neive. The warmth of the vintage is evident, but so is the pure pedigree of this famous hillside site in Neive. Blood orange, spice, wild flowers, mint and leather all open up in a striking, explosive Barbaresco endowed with real class. If opened young, the 2012 needs a lot of air. Hopefully readers will put away a few bottles, though. My sense is that this wine still has a lot to say.
Neive. Mid ruby with broad rim. Lifted, peppery raspberry and cherry nose with proper depth. Youthful fruit sweetness on the attack and concentrated, tangy fruit with lots of grainy tannins on the finish. Long and balanced and delicious. (WS)