Harvest at the Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Asili Barbaresco vineyard.

Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa wines are made from estate fruit. They have 50 acres divided between Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra and Barbaresco. (Wines labeled Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa are made from sourced fruit.) The winery is located in the town of Neive within the Langhe region.

Rooted in tradition and trained by his father and grandfather rather than a university, Bruno Giacosa takes an old-school approach to winemaking. He leans toward smaller volumes and letting the wines develop their own personalities. You could call it a “hands-off” style. However, unlike super-traditionalists, he uses only French oak.

A stickler for quality, Giacosa will declassify wine, or simply not make it, in a poor vintage. But, the advantageous locations, facings and altitudes of his vineyards mean that is rarely necessary.

Bruno Giacosa started in the family wine business right after World War II. He was considered one of the premier producers of Barbaresco in the 60’s and, later in that decade, began producing single-vineyard wines. Starting with Falletto in 1982, he began purchasing vineyards for himself. Giacosa has used hired winemakers since 1990.

2012 Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco DOCG 94 14.5% 750ml $150

Ruby moving toward garnet in color with aromas of red cherry, drying rose petal, spice and dry wood. Medium to medium+ body in the mouth with substantial, persistent tannins of fine, soft chalk. Long, intense flavors of red cherry, drying rose petal and light black tea. Drink now through 2030.

2011 Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Barolo DOCG Piemonte 93+ 14.5% 750ml $150

Garnet in the glass and showing drying leaves and rose petals, gently stewed red cherry, tea and moist earth on the nose. Medium+ body with loads of freshness and light-grained texture. Very long, structured with dried fruit and rose petal flavors carried by waves of acidity. Very attractive and elegant showing tertiary characteristics with restrained fruit. Now through 2025.

Copyright Fred Swan 2016. Photo courtesy of Bruno Giacosa. All rights reserved.