2004 Moccagatta, Barbaresco, Basarin 1x750ml

Vinous 88

Lots of sweet oak on the nose, which shows an almost exotic vanilla and chocolate sweetness. Supple and broad, but I don’t find the high notes, the floral interest or the verve of the vintage’s better examples. Finishes with slightly drying tannins. Not my favorite style. Like the ’05 version, this seems to be dominated by its new oak element. [Stephen Tanzer, 11/01/2007]

Robert Parker 91

The 2004 Barbaresco Basarin is a gorgeous, layered wine. It presents suggestions of smoke, violets and dark cherries with superb length and silky, polished tannins on the finish. It is the most delicate and accessible of the three Barbarescos. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019. Brothers Franco and Sergio Minuto have produced a superb set of 2004 Barbarescos. In fact, these are the finest wines I have ever tasted from this property, which is located in the town of Barbaresco. These are very complete wines with gorgeous aromatics, outstanding delineation and an increasingly enlightened use of French oak. The Basarin and Bric Balin are aged in 50% new barrels, while the Cole is the only Barbaresco that sees 100% new oak. Readers won’t want to miss out on these 2004s. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411 [31/10/2007]

Anticipated maturity: 2010-2019