Pertinace, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2012

I was totally enthralled with all three 2012 Barbarescos that I taste from Pertinace, and though I had the slightest preference for this bottling, I’d also buy the “Castellizzano” or the “Nervo” in a heartbeat.  This one gets the nod for offering just a bit more in the way of sheer generosity, with mouth-coating flavors that prove amazingly persistent and won’t let the wine’s tannins impose any hint of astringency.