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Bruno Giacosa

1990 Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Santo Stefano Riserva

Italy Nebbiolo Piedmont Barbaresco 750ML

Wine Advocate

96

Vinous

97
/
1990 Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Santo Stefano Riserva
Bruno Giacosa

1990 Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Santo Stefano Riserva

Italy Nebbiolo Piedmont Barbaresco 750ML

Wine Advocate

96

Vinous

97
/
0 In Stock
  • Nicked Label

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From the Barbera to the stunning Red-Label bottlings, the name of Bruno Giacosa is a beacon of unmatched quality. His sixty-year reign over the humble family estate provided bottles that, sixty years later still live on with great power, poise and an added, elevating element that can't be matched by nearly anyone in the world of wine.

Bruno Giacosa

Once Bruno joined his Giacosa family of winemakers at the ripe age of fifteen, the wine world immediately changed. As the third generation in charge, the house had long depended on farming contracts, acting as negociants in Barolo and Barbaresco with their intimate knowledge of the local vineyards. This knowledge became even more important when, in 1980, Giacosa began to acquire parcels of his own. 

As his legend grew among the wine community both Italian and external, Bruno remained humble and preferred to focus on making his wine, his way. As detail-oriented as any winemaker in existence, his palate was such that he could sense a certain special energy emitting from a particular barrel or plot, and that wine would receive what became a hallowed honor: the Red Label. Red Labeled- wines, the "Speciale" bottlings, only released when deemed worthy. 

In 2006, Bruno's daughter Bruna took over the handling of the estate, having learned under her father's wing for decades. While the passing of Bruno in 2018 was a massive loss for the family and the world of wine, Bruna's determination carries on her father's legacy, and the famous, classy labels live on is his honor. 

Meet the Producer

Bruno Giacosa

From the Barbera to the stunning Red-Label bottlings, the name of Bruno Giacosa is a beacon of unmatched quality. His sixty-year reign over the humble family estate provided bottles that, sixty years later still live on with great power, poise and an added, elevating element that can't be matched by nearly anyone in the world of wine.

Once Bruno joined his Giacosa family of winemakers at the ripe age of fifteen, the wine world immediately changed. As the third generation in charge, the house had long depended on farming contracts, acting as negociants in Barolo and Barbaresco with their intimate knowledge of the local vineyards. This knowledge became even more important when, in 1980, Giacosa began to acquire parcels of his own. 

As his legend grew among the wine community both Italian and external, Bruno remained humble and preferred to focus on making his wine, his way. As detail-oriented as any winemaker in existence, his palate was such that he could sense a certain special energy emitting from a particular barrel or plot, and that wine would receive what became a hallowed honor: the Red Label. Red Labeled- wines, the "Speciale" bottlings, only released when deemed worthy. 

In 2006, Bruno's daughter Bruna took over the handling of the estate, having learned under her father's wing for decades. While the passing of Bruno in 2018 was a massive loss for the family and the world of wine, Bruna's determination carries on her father's legacy, and the famous, classy labels live on is his honor. 

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

96

The 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a soft, sensual style. Warm, open and generous, the wine shows superb balance, with a purity of fruit that powers through to the long, round finish. I have a slight preference for the 1989 here, but would be thrilled to own more of the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Bruno Giacosa’s wines are well represented in my personal cellar, which was the source for the vast majority of these bottles. I have had the good fortune to taste all of Giacosa’s 1989s and 1990s from multiple sources over the last year, and therefore can report that these notes are representative of what readers can expect from well-stored bottles. I consider 1989 and 1990 – along with 1978, 1982, 1996, 2001, 2004 and 2007 – to be among Giacosa’s finest vintages. The bevy of Red Label Riservas in this article says it all. In 1989 and 1990 Giacosa produced an immense number of legendary wines. In fact, he is one of the very few producers who did exceptionally well in both years. In general the 1989s are a touch more layered and nuanced, while the 1990s are impressive for their massive concentration. If forced to state a preference, I would say 1990 gets the nod for its consistency from top to bottom, even if few of those wines reach the sublime heights of the very finest 1989s. Still, these are relatively small distinctions at this high level. Readers who have the opportunity to taste any of these wines should not think twice. By the late 1980s Giacosa had begun to move towards an enlightened traditional style with the introduction of the French oak casks he now uses exclusively. Fermentations and barrel aging, however, remained very much within the framework of traditional winemaking, resulting in a combination that was electric. Readers will note that many of Giacosa’s Red Label Riservas during this time were made in small lots (such as the 1990 Asili and 1989 Collina Rionda), and that for practical purposes those wines were aged in medium-size casks rather than large casks.

Vinous

Vinous

97

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.

What the Critics are Saying

The Wine Advocate

Wine Advocate

96

The 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a soft, sensual style. Warm, open and generous, the wine shows superb balance, with a purity of fruit that powers through to the long, round finish. I have a slight preference for the 1989 here, but would be thrilled to own more of the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Bruno Giacosa’s wines are well represented in my personal cellar, which was the source for the vast majority of these bottles. I have had the good fortune to taste all of Giacosa’s 1989s and 1990s from multiple sources over the last year, and therefore can report that these notes are representative of what readers can expect from well-stored bottles. I consider 1989 and 1990 – along with 1978, 1982, 1996, 2001, 2004 and 2007 – to be among Giacosa’s finest vintages. The bevy of Red Label Riservas in this article says it all. In 1989 and 1990 Giacosa produced an immense number of legendary wines. In fact, he is one of the very few producers who did exceptionally well in both years. In general the 1989s are a touch more layered and nuanced, while the 1990s are impressive for their massive concentration. If forced to state a preference, I would say 1990 gets the nod for its consistency from top to bottom, even if few of those wines reach the sublime heights of the very finest 1989s. Still, these are relatively small distinctions at this high level. Readers who have the opportunity to taste any of these wines should not think twice. By the late 1980s Giacosa had begun to move towards an enlightened traditional style with the introduction of the French oak casks he now uses exclusively. Fermentations and barrel aging, however, remained very much within the framework of traditional winemaking, resulting in a combination that was electric. Readers will note that many of Giacosa’s Red Label Riservas during this time were made in small lots (such as the 1990 Asili and 1989 Collina Rionda), and that for practical purposes those wines were aged in medium-size casks rather than large casks.

Vinous

Vinous

97

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.