2021 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
Over the last couple of years, this has easily been one of our best selling Italian wines, so I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2021’s because the wines coming out of Italy for this vintage are stunning.
Today, I’m offering the estate's entry level Barbaresco - a nebbiolo experience that far exceeds its modest $39 price.
The warming climate in this northern Italian appellation has been beneficial for Barolo and Barbaresco in particular as they are easily reaching maturity, resulting in wines with a softer edge, which are more appealing in their youth.
Each year, Produttori’s Barbaresco is derived from 9 of the finest crus in the Langhe vineyards; i.e. Rabaja, Asili, Ovello. It's precisely this ability to draw fruit from these stellar vineyards that puts this wine in a class by itself.
Produttori’s approach is very traditional. Fermentation lasts between 18 and 21 days, then aging occurs for up to another 3 years in decades old Slovenian oak barrels. You cannot argue with the quality of the wine produced over the last several years.
In a vintage like 2021, there is a perfect balance between ripeness and the underlying acidity. Ripe nebbiolo is a beautiful thing. It’s transparent, focused, with multiple layers of flavor revealing themselves upon each sip.
Ideally, this wine needs a few more years in the cellar, but anyone that loves nebbiolo is going to want to have plenty around. It will reward you for years to come.
Please trust me, not all Barbaresco is created equal!
An intriguing wine with aromas of potpourri, dried cherries and candied orange zest. Smoky and juicy on the palate, with firm, dusty yet ripe tannins, a full body and a long, savory finish.
- James Suckling, 94
The 2021 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, deep wine. Although the aromatics are a bit closed, the 2021 shows gorgeous depth and a touch more palate presence than is typically the case for this bottling.
- Vinous, 93
