Barbaresco Pajè “Vecchie Viti” DOCG 2020 · MAGNUM in OWC

Roagna | Piedmont
Az. Agr. I Paglieri | Loc. Paglieri 9 | IT 12050 Barbaresco

When Luca Roagna guides guests through his wines, he serves this one last. Not by chance, not for dramatic effect – but because nothing can come after the Pajè Vecchie Viti. The wine with the most pronounced tannic structure, he says, deserves the final say. The vines from which this Barbaresco is made are 80–90 years old. This is not a marketing term – the law does not recognise "Vecchie Viti" – but a simple truth. Over the decades, the roots have learnt to dig through countless layers of calcareous marl, drawing water and minerals from depths that remain inaccessible to younger vines. What they send upwards is more concentrated, more complex and utterly unique. Between 2,000 and 3,000 bottles are produced annually from this selection in the Pajè amphitheatre. The upper part of the vineyard, where the mineral character is most pronounced, goes into the Crichet Pajè – down here, the Vecchie Viti is made. It matures for five years in large wooden casks and concrete tanks before leaving the estate.

In the glass, a balance of sweetness and power that only old vines can offer. The nose shifts between blood orange, wild strawberry and Parma violet, interlaced with hints of cinnamon and metallic nuances. On the palate: velvety texture, chalky tannins and an acidity that carries the wine right through to its endless final. Salty, vibrant, with a depth that cannot be described, only experienced. The final wine of the evening – and one that is guaranteed to be remembered. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Pajè Vecchie Viti is delicate and refined with aromas of pressed violet, lilac and wild berry. The wine is polished to an almost glossy sheen, offering remarkably silky tannins and an elegant, persistent finish. Twenty-four hours later, the bouquet gains impressive aromatic intensity with an even broader range of floral notes. That extraordinary silkiness remains the defining feature, although the wine also reveals a firm structural backbone that emerges toward the finish." Wine Advocate

"A well-structured red wine that offers a riot of aromas of cherries, strawberries, white pepper, eucalyptus and iron, as well as a hint of tobacco. Intense and multi-layered, with lively acidity and a hint of refined tannins in the long-lasting finish." Wine Spectator

"The Barbaresco Pajè Vecchie Viti 2020 is a real eye-catcher. The Vecchie Viti is a complex, dynamic wine that impresses in every respect. The aromas that rise to the nose are immediately captivating. Layered spicy notes, new leather, menthol, dried herbs and incense interplay with a core of dark-coloured Nebbiolo fruit. It comes as no surprise that the 2020 has become fiercely closed since bottling. harvestshould not plan to open a bottle any time soon." Vinous

"A breathtaking Barbaresco that is exceptionally complex and elegant. Aromas of embers, wild strawberries, spicy dried flowers, angelica, wet slate and lemon leaves. Lively and crisp, full-bodied with firm, dusty yet ripe tannins. Juicy and full-bodied with a long-lasting finish. It will age well for decades." James Suckling