The 2006 Barbaresco Boito offers up plums, spices, new leather and sweet tobacco on a medium-bodied frame. The wine shows lovely focus and firm, yet well-balanced tannins in a relatively delicate style of Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018. The Dellapiana family owns some of the most highly regarded vineyards in all of Barbaresco. These classically-styled wines fall into the lighter end of the spectrum in the region. I have been tasting the Rizzi Barbarescos now for a number of years and I always come away with the same impression; with a little more care in the vineyards and lower yields these wines could make a significant jump in quality. Importer: Opici Wines , www.opiciwines.com

What sets Rizzi apart is the pristine and detailed-minded nature of its winemaking. Barbaresco Boito shows these qualities nicely thanks to the dimension of its small berry, cola, cedar, licorice and menthol aromas.——M.L.(9/1/2011)—— 90