2020 Prunotto, Barbaresco, Secondine

Tasted before the wine was bottled, the Prunotto 2020 Barbaresco Secondine shows an almost piquant bouquet with little hints of cinnamon, white pepper and cardamom that frame a bouquet that is mostly floral in personality. I get a lot of dried rose and violet. This is a delicate ensemble, and this expression shows more definition and detail compared to the estate's Barbaresco Bric Turot that I found to be more one-dimensional overall. Some 12,000 bottles will be released this fall.

The 2020 Barbaresco Secondine is a powerful, savory wine redolent of dried herbs, tobacco, smoke and earthy tones. There's not a ton of fruit or freshness in this closed, unexpressive wine. The Secondine has plenty of power, but it also comes across as pretty raw today.

Barbaresco. Pale ruby with orange tinges. Leafy and light nose with hints of strawberry. Light strawberry-fruit palate with a suggestion of saffron. Long, aromatic, sweet fruit finish, but overall a bit light. (WS)