The glorious, dark plum/garnet-colored 1998 Barbaresco Asij offers a complex nose of earth, truffles, cherry liqueur, licorice, spice, and tobacco. Sweet and supple with nearly perfect symmetry as well as abundant glycerin and length, it will drink well for 7-8 years. Importer: Veuve Clicquot, New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575

Multifaceted aromas and flavors of berries, plums, mushrooms and cedar. Full-bodied, with solid, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Needs time to open. Best after 2005. 2,800 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbaresco Select to Add

First up is a hint of citrus peel to the cherry driven nose. The fruit on the palate is light and clean, emphasizing red plum and dried cherry. Some earth and cola appear on the modest, astringent finish. Overall it’s expectedly tight, but it’s of good quality and offers some fine Piedmontese qualities. ——M.S.(11/15/2002)—— 88