The 1996 Barbera d'Alba is a soft, elegant, medium ruby/garnet-colored wine with berry fruit intertwined with cedar, weedy tobacco, and leathery scents. It should be consumed over the next 1-2 years. I suspect readers are in for some exquisite wines from the 1996 and 1997 vintages from Piedmont's most notable guardian of traditional winemaking - Bruno Giacosa. This release includes several wines from the 1996 vintage, but it is also apparent that Giacosa has done reasonably well in the more difficult years of 1995 and 1993. Leonardo Locasio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620