The magnificent 1997 Barbaresco-La Spinetta Vigneto Gallina comes from a steep hillside vineyard just outside the village of Neive, even though it is part of the Treiso commune. A deep plum color is accompanied by a huge, complex, leather, soy, allspice, cherry liqueur, and smoky-scented bouquet. This full-bodied, impressively-endowed, layered, ravishing Barbaresco can be drunk now or cellared for 15-18 years.
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