Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva DOCG 2021

Produttori del Barbaresco | Piedmont
Produttori del Barbaresco s.a.c. | Via Torino 54 | IT 12050 Barbaresco

05132821 · 0,75 l · 84,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

You have to earn the nickname. They call Montestefano the "Barolo of Barbaresco" – and anyone who has had a good vintage in their hands will understand why. The site is just a few metres away from Montefico, shares its southern exposure and the calcareous subsoil, but clearly towers above it in terms of steepness. Excellent drainage, late harvest, a warmer microclimate thanks to the protection from northerly winds: these are the conditions under which the Nebbiolo develops maximum ripeness here – almost smoky darkness, full power. The Produttori del Barbaresco have been vinifying Montestefano as a single vineyard since 1974; the craft has remained unchanged for decades: 28 days of maceration at 30 degrees, then at least thirty months in large Slavonian wooden barrels.

In 2021, Montestefano shows its darkest, densest voice. The April frost limited the quantity of grapes to a minimum; what remained ripened deeply and slowly, and the harvest did not begin until mid-October. In the glass, a wine of heavy, bubbling constitution is revealed: leather, menthol, dark stone fruit, spices – all poured into a tannin corset that needs time, but promises to last for decades. The final is long and resonant, like a final note that lingers in the room. Some wines require patience; this one practically demands it. SUPERIORE.DE

"The warm, sunny slope confers a richness and ripeness that is well evidenced in the 2021. Heady scents of cinnamon, clove, macerated cherry and potting soil introduce a mouthfilling wine that's almost overwhelming at first. It seems to lighten up as concentrated acidity collides with the jam-packed, wild brambly berries, but don’t be fooled, the firm, irony tannins are securely fastened. Best to leave it alone for a few years." Decanter

"Youthful on the nose, showing bright, lively aromas of red and dark fruits, leafy lightness, wild strawberries and black cherries with a whiff of blood oranges and earthy, chocolaty depth. The gorgeous full-bodied palate, structured and extracted, has firm, velvety tannins and tense acidity, leading to a balanced, endless, licorice finish." James Suckling

"Black currant, blackberry, violet, tobacco and sweet spices highlight this suave, fruity red. Opulent for the vintage and solidly built, with a long, resonant finish that echoes the fruit and adds iron and mineral notes. Excellent length." Wine Spectator

"The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is a dense, hulking wine. Powerful and dense to the core, the Montestefano is a big, broad-shouldered wine that is going to need a few years to be at its most expressive. Dark-toned fruit, new leather, spice, menthol are all amplified in this potent Barbaresco." Vinous