The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is a wine that does its utmost to explore the concept of balance. This amazing effort is apparent from start to finish. The wine opens to some ripeness with dark fruit and Morello cherry that is countered by tart flavors of cassis and wild berry. The spice tones are well dosed and delineated, and the wine follows up with herbal and menthol notes that add elegance. The mouthfeel exhibits a good tenor of intensity that never goes too far.