2021 Cascina Luisin Barbaresco Asili, Piedmont

Cascina Luisin Barbaresco Asili is a beautifully poised and traditional expression of Nebbiolo from one of Barbaresco’s most revered crus. Asili is often considered the crown jewel of the commune, known for producing wines of exceptional finesse, aromatic lift and ageing potential. Cascina Luisin, a small family-run estate dating back to 1913, farms their parcel of Asili with great care, embracing low intervention and allowing the vineyard to speak clearly through every bottle.

This wine is made from old vines planted on calcareous marl, fermented with native yeasts and aged for around 30 months in large Slavonian oak botti. The style is resolutely classic: no barriques, no flashy extraction — just purity, restraint and quiet power.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of wild strawberry, dried rose, orange peel, tar, and sweet herbs. The palate is medium bodied and tightly structured, showing flavours of sour cherry, anise, fine leather and dusty earth. Tannins are firm but refined, and the acidity drives a long, floral-spiced finish with that telltale Asili elegance.

Food pairing: ideal with braised veal shank, wild mushroom risotto, tajarin with truffle, or roast duck with rosemary and fennel. Also excellent with aged Parmigiano Reggiano or firm alpine cheeses.

Cellar potential: this is a wine built for the long haul. Best from 2026 onwards, with ageing potential of 20 to 30 years in good cellaring conditions.