Barbaresco

Terre da Vino's colourful Barbaresco La Casa in Collina smells interestingly of flowers, sour cherries and tobacco. The juicy taste is well balanced with excellent persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Perfumed nose of cedar, dried cherries, tobacco, mint chocolate and lemon peel. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Sturdy frame, yet fresh and zesty." James Suckling

Typical Barbaresco: light ruby red, fine bouquet of berries, undergrowth and coffee. Powerful on the palate with fine, yet noticeable tannin, soft mid-palate with full-bodied substance and a fruit-driven, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright ruby red with orange reflections. Fine bouquet of violets, forest floor and a balsamic camphor note. On the palate Marasca cherry, some raspberry, liquorice and a mint note. Fresh acidity and the right amount of elegant tannins round off the lively and long final. SUPERIORE.DE

Prunotto's Barbaresco shows a powerful portion of Nebiolo personality and opens with balanced notes of dried berries, liquorice, tar and blue flowers. The ensemble is delicate and fresh. What makes this wine so attractive is the fact that it offers such a clear and unadulterated view of the grape, which comes across particularly well in this very attractive drop. The finish is full of elegance and silk. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright red; fruity notes, inviting; juicy, delicacy, fruit, clear, quite round tannin, pleases very much." (JLF) Merum

"The 2019 Barbaresco is floral, lifted and quite attractive. I would prefer to drink this light to medium bodied Barbaresco over the next handful of years. Sweet red cherry, rose petal, mint, spice and incense are all so nicely balanced." Vinous

"Fragrant and loaded with finesse, this has aromas of red berry, iris, leather and forest floor. The youthfully austere palate offers sour cherry, cranberry and licorice alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it vibrant and balanced." Wine Enthusiast

Medium-bodied ruby red, fine rose bouquet with hints of tea and dried herbs. Beautiful black cherry aroma with well-integrated wood notes makes it a balanced and at no point intrusive wine. The 2016 climate also gave this Nebbiolo an impressive precision and straightness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium red; some fruit, tobacco; powerful, juicy, good tartness, very pleasant." Merum

"Developed-looking mid ruby with bricky rim. Brooding, complex, deep nose with a hint of Moroccan leather. Generous but not yet fully open fruit, stitched together by gorgeous chewy tannins and ripe acidity. Good medium-term potential." Jancis Robinson

The Nebbiolo grapes for this archetypal Barbaresco come from marl soils at an altitude of about 250 metres. After two years of ageing in large wood and a further 6-7 (!) years of bottle maturity, here comes a wine on the market which, with its perfectly matured tannins and fine sweet melting, is already giving even the most impatient Nebbiolo fan a lot of pleasure.

Ruby red with garnet reflections, convincing, spicy bouquet of violets, moss, rose petals and small red fruits. Nice pressure on the palate, yet open-hearted, fresh and full-bodied, with well-dosed extract-sweet notes of maraschino cherry and a beautiful fruit that promises another great future in combination with the fine-meshed tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich bright cherry red with dark reflections. Inviting bouquet of juicy wild raspberries, blackberries, also something of cardamom and delicate bourbon vanilla. Pleasant on the nose, winds gracefully through the palate, powerful in body with a sparse structure, yet clear, goes into the lingering final with good pressure." Falstaff

"Lustrous maturing ruby with orange tinges. Sweetly scented ripe cherry nose with the merest suggestion of fruit cake and hugely appealing. A succulent mouthful of marasca-cherry fruit with coating tannins. Long, concentrated and highly enjoyable and still not at its peak." Jancis Robinson

"Rich and broad with a fleshy opulence to the wine. Blackberries touched by truffle oil, smoked meats, and dried herb perfume." Decanter

"A solid 2015 Barbaresco with spice, cedar and plum character. Full body, lots of fruit and chewy tannins. This needs time to soften and come together." James Suckling

Medium-bodied ruby red, fine rose bouquet with hints of tea and dried herbs. Beautiful black cherry aroma with well-integrated wood notes makes it a balanced and at no point intrusive wine. The 2019 climate also gave this Nebbiolo an impressive precision and straightness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium red, spicy, some fruit, appealing; fluid, juicy, good depth, caramel, length, pleasant astringency, pleases." Merum

"Wonderful representative that combines power and finesse, in addition has good inner tension and density and works harmoniously from A-Z, shows classic fruit notes, stays long and gives a lot of pleasure and enjoyment." Weinwisser

"Just mid ruby. Impressive, deep red-fruit nose with savoury spice touches. Full fruit on the palate kept in check by lots of hefty tannins. There is an abundance of everything, but the whole remains elegant and well balanced. Pure raspberry fruit finish." Jancis Robinson

"Lovely concentration of red fruit with some currants and strawberries. Very fruity for the vintage. Full-bodied with round, polished tannins and a chewy finish. It’s a very typical Barbaresco, with solid concentration for the vintage." James Suckling

"Packaged in its distinctive black label, the Fontanabianca 2019 Barbaresco Serraboella is a subdued, graceful and incredibly silky wine that falls softly over the palate and caresses the senses. There is a lot of beauty here with red fruit aromas, powdered licorice, raspberry tart and plenty of blue flower or lilac. I love the fine texture of the mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of new leather, menthol, licorice and dark-skinned berry shape the nose on this perfumed red. Juicy and savory, the radiant palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and cinnamon set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. It's vibrant, balanced and youthfully tense, with nervous acidity." Wine Enthusiast

Deep, lively ruby to garnet red. Extensive bouquet of red fruits and pastries with a mineral touch. On the palate, it convinces with a rich, solid structure as well as a continuous development, which ends in a long-smelling final. The leading winegrowers' cooperative in Italy shows every year already with its basic Barbaresco what it and its members are capable of. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Barbaresco is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next 15-20 years, give or take. Sweet, floral and open, the 2019 offers lovely brightness and energy to match its mid-weight, nervy feel. Sweet dried cherry, mint, crushed flowers and savory notes all grace this soft, understated Barbaresco from the Produttori." Vinous

"This is extremely floral and bright on the nose with lavender, violets and dark berries. Orange peel too. Full-bodied and solid with firm tannins and a tight finish." James Suckling

Sparkling ruby. Expressive, very fragrant bouquet of red stone fruit, wild berries, mint and leather. Juicy, clear approach with well-proportioned tannins. Wonderfully long finish with ripe berries and spices. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Barbaresco Nubiola is quite the overachiever in this year's lineup from Pelissero. Aromatically intense and also quite deep, the Nubiola impresses with its balance. The blend of different sites was clearly an advantage. Bright red-toned fruit, cedar, tobacco, orange peel and pomegranate lend notable complexity throughout. Give the tannins a few years to soften." Vinous

Medium deep ruby red with orange reflections. Wonderful bouquet of fine sour cherry and strawberry compote with restrained oak spice. Multi-layered and juicy on the palate with a potpourri of dark fruits framed by fine-grained tannin. Well structured, it leads into an interesting, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"For us, it is important that a good Barbaresco fully expresses its characteristics: elegance, finesse, harmony. The 2020 vintage has given us a complete wine that is very fascinating and has excellent ageing potential. Although it is drinkable now, we recommend storing a few bottles to observe its evolution. We are excited to see how it will develop in the coming years." Franco Massolino

The grapes for Massolino's Barbaresco come from the Starderi, Albesani and Serraboella sites. Medium garnet red with rusty red reflections. In the charming bouquet bright red fruits, rose petals and violets. On the palate rather delicate and already at a young age of an elegance and finesse that are completely convincing. As it progresses, it reveals a seductive core of fruit, fine tannins and a well-proportioned acidity that open up a great future for it. Very well-bred! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Barbaresco is a terrific follow up to the 2019. A wine of nerve and grace, the 2020 sizzles with energy. Finely sculpted red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, crushed rocks and orange zest all grace this super-expressive, mid-weight Barbaresco. An explosion of sweet floral and spice notes lifts the gorgeous, beautifully perfumed, vibrant finish. I love the classicism here." Vinous

Cogno's Barbaresco from the top vineyard Bordini is a centred and firm Nebbiolo that tends to be one of the more powerful representatives of the appellation. However, it reveals its great aromatic potential only at second glance: Cherry, blackberry, hints of spices and a little freshly chopped mint. Then some speculoos, walnut, salty tones and tobacco. Acidity and tannin form a perfect symbiosis and at the same time the backbone of this impressive Barbaresco that will give pleasure for many years. SUPERIORE.DE

Wonderful aromas of sliced plums with a hint of dried flowers. Full-bodied, with well-accentuated spice, truffle and berry character. Very long and rich, yet soft and beautiful. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Barbaresco Reyna is bright, fruity and forward, making it a good choice to drink now and in the years to come. Sweet floral accents, spices and a hint of orange peel give it freshness. The wine has a nice depth and density." Vinous

"A rich, round red with aromas of mint, menthol and liquorice framing a core of cherry and plum fruit. Shows plenty of tannins on the back end, but the ripe fruit returns on the finish." Wine Spectator

Dark fruits on the nose, nuanced with spices, tar, liquorice and wild berries. The mouthfeel is soft and supple with a lasting and silky texture. Here comes a Nebbiolo that exudes character and personality. Barbaresco Vigneto Bordini is a precise interpretation of the grape, drawing a fine line between elegance and power with ease. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Barbaresco Vigneto Bordini is a powerful, brooding wine that packs a ton of punch. I would give it a few hours of air to help soften some of the formidable tannins. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather, sweet spice, flowers, licorice and menthol are all amplified, as are the tannins. This is far from an easygoing Barbaresco, but it does open nicely with aeration." Vinous

"The roses and lemon leaf come through in the nose, with a palate of cherries and plums. Medium-bodied with chewy yet fine tannins and a medium finish. A year or two will soften this." James Suckling

"Both rich and dense, this Barbaresco exhibits aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, iron, underbrush and earth. Dense and persistent, with fine balance overall and a lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"La Spinetta's 2019 Barbaresco Bordini opens to a wide and ample set of Nebbiolo aromas spanning from Morello cherry and plum, to dark earth and spicy licorice. This is a solid, mid-weight expression and a wine that ultimately lasts long on the palate thanks to the density and quality of its texture." Wine Advocate

Bric Turot is a top Barbaresco vineyard. From this five-hectare vineyard comes the sensationally fruity Nebbiolo, which seduces with its wonderful blackberry and cherry aroma. Elegant and powerful, the taste structure lingers very long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Palish ruby. A captivating, ripe sweet raspberry nose with sour cranberry notes. Raspberry and cranberry on the palate. Abundance of elegant fruit but still youthful and with fantastic gripping, ripe tannins." Jancis Robinson

"The 2019 Barbaresco Bric Turot is the deepest and most potent of the three Barbarescos in the Prunotto range. Black cherry, graphite, spice, leather, menthol and smoke add to an impression of gravitas. The 2019 needs time to soften." Vinous

"Dark strawberries with lots of dried flowers, sandalwood and stone. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a fresh, complex finish. Firm and creamy at the end. Better in 2024 and onwards, but already beautiful." James Suckling

"An elegant, vibrant red, with cherry and strawberry flavors shaded by rose, licorice and spice. This is all about balance and finesse, with a long, complex and mouthwatering aftertaste." Wine Spectator

Terre da Vino's colourful Barbaresco La Casa in Collina smells interestingly of flowers, sour cherries and tobacco. The juicy taste is well balanced with excellent persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Perfumed nose of cedar, dried cherries, tobacco, mint chocolate and lemon peel. Medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins. Sturdy frame, yet fresh and zesty." James Suckling

Ceretto's entry-level Barbaresco comes from different sites, mostly younger vines from Asili (35%) and the lower part of Bernadot (65%). Bright, elegant ruby red. It has full energy and vivacity and offers excellent persistence and remarkable balance. On the nose, sweet red cherry, mint, pine, liquorice and candied orange peel. Taut and ferruginous on the palate, very juicy, salty, stretches precisely across the tongue, with some pressure, considerable juicy-long finish. After good aeration already impressively accessible when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright garnet red with ruby reflections. Intense nose of sour cherry and rosehip, then some leather, tobacco and forest floor, complex. On the palate filigree mouth entry, with soft tannin, harmonious and well balanced, elegant, juicy finish." Falstaff

"This has aromas of oak and toasted nut that come to the forefront while berry and spice stay in the background. Tightly wound and primary, the palate offers raspberry jam, vanilla and licorice alongside close-grained tannins that grip the close. Fresh acidity keeps it bright." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2019 Barbaresco is bright and nicely focused. Crushed red berry fruit, cedar, tobacco and spice are lifted. Veins of supporting tannin and acid give this mid-weight, nervy Barbaresco lovely energy. The 2019 is elegant and also quite promising." Vinous

"The 2019 Barbaresco displays high-toned aromas of sweet raspberries, rose petals and liquorice that anticipates an open-knit palate with clear-cut flavours of crunchy raspberries and redcurrants. Ripe acidity and well-extracted tannins extend the attractively floral and balsamic finish." Decanter

"This is a very firm young Barbaresco with dried strawberry, crunchy fruit and fresh flowers, such as roses. Bitter lemon and tar, too. Full-bodied, chewy and polished. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

"The Ceretto 2019 Barbaresco is an organic wine that paints a clear picture of a beautiful vintage. Tart cherry, white licorice and dusty earth lift from the bouquet and give this wine a sharp sense of focus and intensity. Ceretto has released a superb set of Barbarescos this year, starting with this classic expression." Wine Advocate

Bright and radiant, with lots of Nebbiolo character, it is a successful interpretation of the terroir and shows the great class of the winery. On the nose, sweet red cherries, tobacco, mint, anise and white pepper. Medium-bodied and graceful on the palate with a good balance of perfume, acidity and structure. With further bottle ageing, it looks forward to a great evolution. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium-light red; fruity-smoky, also barrel, caramel, rubber, inviting; fruit, medium-bodied, powerful, lots of round tannin, length." Merum

"Sparkling, medium-dense ruby garnet. Inviting, very finely marked nose with pronounced notes of wild raspberry, rosehip and black tea. Substantial, with pithy tannin on the palate, showing lots of pressure, savoury, lingers long." Falstaff

"Just mid ruby. Perfumed cherry fruit laced with subtle oak and a hint of cumin. Fresh, supple cherry fruit with a savoury edge and firm but ripe and crunchy tannins. Great length and juiciness." Jancis Robinson

"A rich, earthy style, this red evokes cherry, raspberry, iron and tobacco flavors. Broad tannins announce the finish, yet this remains balanced and lingers." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Barbaresco Pio is classy, elegant and wonderfully polished. Sweet spice, cedar, tobacco, leather and dried cherry all open effortlessly. This gracious, mid-weight Barbaresco has plenty to offer in an up-front, early drinking style. The silky, ethereal qualities of Nebbiolo are very much in evidence." Vinous

"Pio Cesare excels when it comes to the classics, and this wine is one of those. The 2018 Barbaresco (released one year later compared to its peers) delivers some mild candied raspberry ripeness with lilac, tarry smoke, cedarwood and spice. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with softly integrated tannins." Wine Advocate

"Strawberries with hints of walnuts, asphalt and bark. Dried flowers, too. Full-bodied with fine, racy tannins and a very long, pretty finish. Refined tannins. Shows excellent length for the vintage." James Suckling

Rio Sordo Riserva is particularly dense, rich and balanced. On the nose we find roses, spices and raspberries. On the palate, it is very complex and has a wonderful depth and juiciness. Rio Sordo offers a taut and sharp fruit on the surface, which is rounded off with some tannin and crispness on the finish. The floral notes that develop with good aeration or further bottle ageing into the final make this Barbaresco Riserva irresistible even when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Maturing ruby with orange rim. A little dusty and brooding with hints of damson and cinnamon. Supple, tangy and full on the palate with plenty of chewy tannins. Very long and intense and accessible, but can age too." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo shows the natural intensity of the year, and yet retains a good bit of the aromatic lift that is so typical of Nebbiolo at its best. Silky, perfumed and poised, the Rio Sordo is impressive in this tasting. Spice and floral notes lift a core of red-toned fruit in this mid-weight yet packed Barbaresco from the Produttori. This has very fine potential." Vinous

"Delivers depth and velvety texture, which are a perfect foil for the saturated cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Underlined by mineral and spice notes, this is harmonious and long, with a mineral aftertaste. Feels approachable now, but this has structure and will age beautifully." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo has a mineral character and a sleek, firm approach that gives this wine its special identity. The wine is polished, almost glossy in texture with blackcurrant, plum and wild rose, and the tannins are gripping, although the Rio Sordo sports a lean to medium-rich density overall." Wine Advocate

Pios Barbaresco 2015 is a beautiful wine. Bright and radiant, with a lot of Nebbiolo character, it is a successful interpretation of the balanced vintage. In the bouquet sweet red cherries, tobacco, mint, aniseed and white pepper. On the palate medium heavy and graceful with a good balance of perfume, acidity and structure. With further bottle ripeness he is looking forward to a great development. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, brilliant ruby red with a delicate brightening rim. Floreal fragrant nose of young pink roses, strawberries and fresh mint. Smooth and fine on the palate, extremely elegant, with a beautiful dress, finest tannin with delicate pressure, balanced, slightly salty final." Falstaff

"The Pio Cesare 2015 Barbaresco offers a mid-weight approach and a solid core of fruit. That dark fruit center is surrounded by supple but delicate tones of exotic spice, smoke, tar, licorice and crushed stone. This is a fragrant and elegant expression that drinks beautifully straight out of the gate. This is a classic Barbaresco with an easy and approachable personality." Wine Advocate

"A dense and layered red with plums, dried orange and lemon peel and a long and flavorful finish. Beautiful. Such impressive layers and a fantastic finish. Very exciting. Love the length. Drink in 2020, but already beautiful." James Suckling

Vanotu is the top plant of Pelissero and every year very convincing. Attractive garnet red, concentrated, hearty bouquet with fine tobacco and leather notes. Generous also on the palate, with overripe sour cherries and with densely woven tannins. A spectacular and masculine wine with great storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense bright ruby red with fine garnet edge. Very present and dense nose, shows a lot of intense fruit, after blackberry, dark cherry and plum, in the background after truffle. Dense and powerful at the base, spreads well, in the rear the wood is clearly visible, drying tannin." Falstaff

"The flagship 2016 Barbaresco Vanotu is dense, plush and explosive. Black cherry, chocolate, licorice, spice, leather, menthol and dried flowers all run through this rich, sumptuous Barbaresco. Even with all of its obvious richness and muscle, the 2016 retains a good bit of freshness. Readers need to give the 2016 time to settle down post bottling." Vinous

"A supple, elegant style, this offers cherry, floral, iron, tar, toasty and spice aromas and flavors. Fleshy midpalate, this stands up to the tannins that emerge on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2042." Wine Spectator

Pora overwhelms with incredible complexity and a variety of aromas ranging from stone fruit, raspberries and liquorice to dried flowers, spices and white truffle. Despite all its lush fruit, the Pora has a good structural foundation. Juicy notes of dark cherries, plums, espresso, menthol and liquorice unfold in this forward, wonderfully inviting Riserva from the Produttori. The wine excels in aromas, but its sleek and polished personality continues on the palate. Multi-layered, exciting and still quite youthfully austere today, it needs a few years to relax and develop. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid developing ruby with orange tinges. Deep leafy cherry with hints of orange and black tea leaves. Supple and fresh acidity with succulent cherry fruit and lots of soft chewy tannins. Very long and juicy with plenty of stuffing, but with an elegant palate weight and ready now." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is rich, creamy and layered, with a bit more generosity than is typically the case. Sweet red cherry, red plum, spice and rose petal are amplified in a radiant, open-knit Barbaresco that will start drinking well in a few years' time." Vinous

"A rich, fruity version, this Barbaresco exudes ripe cherry fruit augmented by accents of tar, mint, earth and spice. Firms up nicely on the finish, yet stays fresh and energetic." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is usually the first wine I taste each year when I review this set of Riservas from Produttori del Barbaresco. That's because it usually appears as the most delicate, and the intensity of each successive bottle increases after this one. But these schematics are a bit more difficult to align in a hot and dry vintage such as this that produced richer and more succulent fruit across the board. The Pora is redolent of red and purple fruit with a little more blackberry and plum compared to previous editions. The tannic strength of the wine is also more elaborate. Pora works very well in 2017." Wine Advocate

Muncagota is rich, deep and super-expressive every year, hitting all the right notes. Black cherry, plum, spices, leather and liquorice all come out, but all very hesitantly and with a lot of aeration, better: with further bottle ageing. Muncagota is one of the examples from the famous series of nine Riserve that clearly needs time. And time should be given to it, and the patient will be richly rewarded. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous deep ruby. Brooding and a little rich with sweet cinnamon hints but still a little closed on the nose. Sour cherry and damson on the palate with a layer of fine, sandy tannins and succulent acidity. Can be approached now, the damson hints seems to suggest this won't age forever, so it will be at its peak in four to five years' time." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is one of the lighter wines in this range. Floral and medium in body, the 2017 gives the impression of a wine that will open earlier than some of the others. It, too, has pretty imposing tannins though, so a few years in bottle are advisable. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, mint and white pepper linger." Vinous

"The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota plays some of its best cards in terms of texture, offering silky tannins, firmness and a long-lasting veil of fruit flavors. Cassis, wild cherry, camphor ash, spice and iron ore are aromatic protagonists. This wine is lean and compact but very linear and focused." Wine Advocate

"Presents a bright, pure expression of cherry, strawberry, rose and grassy aromas and flavors underscored by a vein of minerality, with tannins that flex their muscles on the long finish. Intense but balanced, with tension that bodes well for future evolution." Wine Spectator