Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi 1996

My first experience with this producer... read about Albino Rocca wines in a book by Joe Bastianich. Opened and allowed to slow-oxygenate in bottle for 2.5 hours prior to dinner.  14% alc.  Good clarity, translucent garnet color with soft lightening at the edges.  Subdued yet attractive nose at first.  The palate informs a classic & well-balanced Barbaresco profile, signaling this will be great with dinner.
Took to dinner at a local restaurant, and served from bottle with no decant.  Violets and purple fruit delightfully enveloped the table upon pouring. Like many '96 vintage wines from Piemonte, this one still has many delicious years ahead and is in a really nice spot right now.  Rich pure fruit, sottobosco and a bit of mint... lovely acidity made it a great companion to pan seared duck breast.  Very well balanced and nimble for a '96.  Interestingly, there was virtually no sediment at the end of the bottle.