The 1990 Barbaresco's medium ruby color reveals some amber, suggesting considerable evolution. The big, spicy, cherry, leathery nose is followed by a sweet, round, soft-textured wine that is ideal for drinking over the next 6-7 years.Batasiolo is one of the largest vineyard owners in Piedmont, owning over 250 acres, a vast empire in view of the tiny Barolo and Barbaresco estates that tend to resemble the morsellated Burgundy landscape. In the past, I have found Batasiolo wines to be straightforward and monolithic. Whether it's the quality of the vintage or an obvious effort to raise the quality level, Batasiolo's 1990s all performed exceptionally well. Importer: a Leonardo Lo Cascio selection, Winebow, Inc., Hohokus, NJ.