The 2010 Barbaresco Vie Erte is gorgeous. Freshly cut flowers, spices, menthol, tar and licorice jump from the glass in this vibrant, articulate Barbaresco. There is lovely depth and plenty of personality in the glass. The energy and inner tension of the vintage comes through in spades. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. Cigliuti is one of the many small, family-run estates that embodies the finest of the artisan traditions of Piedmont. I found a lot to like in these current releases. The 2009 Barbareschi showed quite well, even though they had been bottled just prior to my visit. They are fresh, vibrant wines with lovely balance for the year. The 2010s are shaping up to be even better, but they are at least a year away from hitting the market. Claudia Cigliuti describes 2009 as a vintage with heavy snowfall in the winter and considerable rain during the spring. The summer was warmer than normal, which resulted in a slightly early harvest that started on September 8 and finished with the Nebbiolo being brought in between the 20th and 25th. Cigliuti makes two Barbareschi. The Vie Erte (formerly Vigne Erte) is aged in cask, while the Serraboella is aged 60% in cask and 40% in French oak.Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; David Vincent Selection, Union, NJ; tel. (908) 397-9117; Bianco Rosso Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 781-0702

Cigliuti’s 2009 Barbaresco Vie Erte captures the personality of the vintage in its round, soft personality. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers and tobacco are some of the notes that are woven together in this fleshy, attractive Barbaresco. The 2009 is already gorgeous, but unlike so many other wines in this vintage, there is plenty of freshness, acidity and vibrancy. Gorgeous floral notes add lift on the finish. This is a terrific showing. The 2009 is the first vintage labeled Vie Erte instead of Vigne Erte, a change required to meet the new naming conventions for Barbaresco. The Vie Erte is aged in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2024. Cigliuti is one of the many small, family-run estates that embodies the finest of the artisan traditions of Piedmont. I found a lot to like in these current releases. The 2009 Barbareschi showed quite well, even though they had been bottled just prior to my visit. They are fresh, vibrant wines with lovely balance for the year. The 2010s are shaping up to be even better, but they are at least a year away from hitting the market. Claudia Cigliuti describes 2009 as a vintage with heavy snowfall in the winter and considerable rain during the spring. The summer was warmer than normal, which resulted in a slightly early harvest that started on September 8 and finished with the Nebbiolo being brought in between the 20th and 25th. Cigliuti makes two Barbareschi. The Vie Erte (formerly Vigne Erte) is aged in cask, while the Serraboella is aged 60% in cask and 40% in French oak.Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; David Vincent Selection, Union, NJ; tel. (908) 397-9117; Bianco Rosso Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 781-0702

The 2008 Barbaresco Vigna Erte Bricco di Neive shows gorgeous finesse and fabulous inner sweetness in a medium-bodied style that is undeniably attractive. Sweet red cherries, tobacco and spices are some of the notes that emerge from the Vigna Erte. These relatively recently planted vines seem to be giving better and better results with each passing vintage. Bright floral notes appear on the finish, adding lift and energy to the focused close. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; David Vincent Selection, Union, NJ; tel. (908) 397-9117; Bianco Rosso Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 781-0702

The 2007 Barbaresco Vigne Erte Bricco di Neive is a big, powerful wine loaded with racy, super-ripe fruit. Initially the fruit is candied to the point of being nearly excessively sweet, but with considerable time in the glass the wine settles down and finds its inner balance. This remains a somewhat quirky wine that will require a bit of patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Importers: Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021; David Vincent Selection, Union, NJ; tel. (908) 397-9117; Bianco Rosso Imports, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 781-0702