Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi 1997

To describe this wine in a word:  Harmony...
Uncorked for slow-o in bottle 2 hours prior to dinner.  Although registering at a modest 14% alcohol, this wine is all about lovely fruit ... rich and gorgeous.  Ruby color with garnet robe... attractive floral aromatics with a hint of menthol.
Re-corked, took to dinner and decanted at the restaurant... it became apparent early on that the '97 vintage of the Brich Ronchi deserves its special reputation ... IMHO, as classic of a flavor profile for great Barbaresco as you can get....
Plush blackberry, hints of mocha & spice ... with hauntingly pretty finesse and elegance...  what more can you say about a great wine? ...  you know it when you taste it.
Paired with marinated short ribs and bacon-sorghum glazed Brussels sprouts (an incredibly delicious dish)...
Here are the notes from the 1996 vintage we enjoyed last weekend: http://lestastevinsdulac.blogspot.com/2014/02/albino-rocca-barbaresco-vigneto-brich.html
Both are gorgeous wines, but I have to give the edge to the 1997 bottling...