Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Deep ruby-tinged red. Aromas of redcurrant, cherry, tobacco and mocha. Fat and round but bright, and sweetened by the substantial oak component. Flavors lifted by a dried flower element. Finishes very long, with huge, tongue-dusting but fine tannins that arrive late. This too will require patience. 92(+?) points. (ST)

(12/2002)

Wine Spectator

Offers gorgeous, ripe dark berry aromas, with licorice and raspberries. Full and very silky, with fine tannins and a racy finish. (JS, Web-2009)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

1999 Barbaresco Bric Ronchi--Dark translucent ruby. Rocca then opened a bottle of the 1999 Bric Ronchi to show the difference between the often-compared classic vintages of 1999 and 2001. As would be expected the 1999 Bric Ronchi shows more evolved notes of spices, leather and tobacco on the nose, along with flavors of stewed dark fruits on a large-scaled frame with the massive tannins typical of the vintage, though not quite reaching the level of elegance of the 2001. (AG)

(10/2005)

Wine Enthusiast

Long and firmly tannic, the only question is whether it has enough fruit. Our money says it does— the hints of black cherries, leather and citrus peel currently walled off by a veil of cedar and tannin should emerge by 2010.

(04/2004)