Nicolas Belfrage: Garnet. Reeks of oak or reduction. Good wine compromised. 7

Simon Larkin: Pale, watery to the rim. The nose has off-putting medicinal aromas and notes of capsicum. The palate is Bretty and sweaty. Very difficult to judge, and there is very little to describe. Second bottle showed a little more fruit, but still with a dominating sweaty character and coarse, grainy tannins. 7

Franco Ziliani: The rustic side of Langhe wines. Great concentration of color. Animal, foxy, reduced, and maybe Bretty as well, with a hint of graphite, mineral, and salt. Good structure, solid tannins, and good balance, with a long, straight, savory finish. But you can hope for more from Barbaresco. 14.5