2019 Piero Busso Albesani Vigna Borges Barbaresco Magnum 1.5L, Piedmont

The 2019 Barbaresco Albesani Vigna Borgese is another terrific wine in this range from Piero Busso. Ample and expressive, with terrific depth, the 2019 offers up copious dark red fruit, blood orange and sweet spice tobacco. Firm tannins wrap it all together. The Borgese offers an appealing mix of ripe, racy fruit and mid-weight structure.

93 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Inviting aromas of sandalwood, blue flower, resin and mocha come to the forefront. The aromas follow through to the savory, rounded palate along with dried cherry, anisette and ground clove. It's polished and accessible, with fine-grained tannins. It closes on the warmth of alcohol. Drink through 2028 

92 points Kerin O’ Keefe winemag.com

Piero Busso Albesani Vigna Borgese Barbaresco is a refined and expressive single-vineyard Nebbiolo from one of Barbaresco’s most prized crus. The Busso family, based in Neive, has built a reputation for elegant, site-driven wines, and Vigna Borgese is one of their standout bottlings. Located within the Albesani cru, this vineyard is known for producing Barbaresco with both structure and perfume, a hallmark of the best sites in the region.

Farming is organic and meticulous, with deep respect for the land and minimal intervention in the cellar. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with native yeasts, followed by long maceration and ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. The result is a Barbaresco that captures both the power and grace of Nebbiolo, allowing the vineyard's unique limestone-clay soils and southeast exposure to shine through.

The wine opens with classic aromas of rose petals, sour cherry, blood orange and anise, supported by undertones of leather, tobacco and crushed stone. The palate is precise and textural, with firm yet refined tannins, bright acidity, and a long, mineral-laced finish that speaks to both terroir and careful craftsmanship.

Serve with braised beef cheek, truffle risotto, or aged Piedmontese cheeses. While compelling now with air, this wine will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 10 to 15 years, gaining depth and complexity with time in bottle.