Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabajà 2008

Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabajà 2008
DOCG
14,5%
51€ (Wine-Searcher average)

Wow!!! This could be the best young PdB I`ve ever tasted.
Beautifully deep and dark purple color, what is to be expected from Rabaja. A bit shy, but delicate, earthy aromas with pronounced tar and graphite, that I get so often from Produttori.
This is so goddamn delicious it`s hard to analyze. Just has everything: power with elegance, glorious glorious purity of fruit, savoriness, silky smooth mouth feel, seamless transition from the first attack to a minutes long aftertaste(lingers on easily more than 3 minutes), interesting mineral undertones, profound secondary notes. You just cant get bored with this.
For 28e, that I paid for this, an insane QPR
97

De Forville - Barbaresco 2011

A friend of mine in Torino used to work in this winery as a youngster during he`s summer vacations (nowadays a Professor of Agriculture in the University of Torino). Through him I`ve gotten to know this lovely winery, which I also have had the pleasure of visiting few times. This traditional Barbaresco producer, which is located in the centre of Barbaresco village just beside the main street, is one of the oldest in Barbaresco, and is making wines in the fifth generation. Still kind of flying under the radar, but I think that their earthy Barbarescos are truly one of the best values in the whole denomination.

     

Traditional "Bottis" in De Forville`s cellar

The main street of Barbaresco village

De Forville - Barbaresco
2011
DOCG
14,5%
30€ Wine-Searcher average price (we bought a case for 15€ a bottle at the winery)

I tasted the 2011 already at the winery, but during a family dinner in easter I decided to open one up.
2011 vintage looks to be gorgeous in Barbaresco. In my limited experience (Barbaresco tasting of about 60 producers in Torino couple of months ago, and a few of examples here and there) maybe even a bit better than the hyped 2010...
De Forville`s earthy Barbarescos always somehow remind me of autumn.. brings up memories from a late autumn walks in the hills, vineyards and forests of Langhe.

Like smelling wild strawberries and roses in a deep old forest somewhere in medieval Europe, and being surrounded by the smoke of autumn bonfires...
Very intense and grippy on the palate. Almost explosive and expansive. Dark fruit compote, rose petals, tar, strong earthy notes. Maybe even a bit mossy(yes, I`ve tasted moss..) This is dominated by earth much more than fruit. Burgundian. Intense aftertaste of cigars and earth floating around rose petals and dark cherries. Sharp acids, and strong tannins.
Still young and nervy, but this wine will age beautifully.
93

Produttori del Barbaresco "Classico" 2008

Produttori del Barbaresco
Barbaresco
2008
DOCG
14,5%
28€ (33$) Wine-searcher average price


Produttori del Barbaresco`s history is totally interwoven with the general history of Barbaresco wine. It can trace it`s origins way back to Cantine sociali, one of the first co-operatives in the world, founded in 1894 by Domizio Cavazza. He was the first to recognize that Nebbiolo wines from Barbaresco can match the Nebbiolo wines of the great Barolo.
Produttori del Barbaresco is one of my all time favorites. There`s not many wineries that I respect as much as PdB. The outstanding quality, high scores year after year, great history, pedigree of great vintages, and still they are reasonably priced. One of the great values of wine world. For example this, with 16 euros(Ok, I made a great deal, well below the average price), you get traditionally crafted, earthy, complex, truly age-worthy, world class wine. Not many winerys, or wine styles/regions can match up with that. Kudos!

Nice aromas of raspberries, forest floor with flowers, tar, some leather.
 On the palate bright strawberries and sour cherry, but in restrained manner. The fruit is almost like in a classy suit, smoking pipe and talking about philosophy and arts. Actually almost a clone of many 08 Barbarescos I´ve had recently. Restrained, austere, earthy, delicious. Tannins are firm but polished. Earthy, dry and very savory and salty aftertaste with bright raspberry, liquorice, tobacco, cacao, and ashy tannins. Old world at its best! All the elements of a classic Barbaresco, and the classical 08 vintage highlights that even more. A hallmark of the vintage. I`m actually pretty convinced I would recognize this as a 08 Barbaresco in a blind tasting. This is a wine I would like to drink on a fishing trip, lets say somewhere in north Lapland, at a campfire, with self caught, and grilled trout. And smoke a bowl of pipe after. Very "manly" and dark wine. 
Great showing from the co-operative.

91-93

The wine woke up memories from trips to Lapland and lake Finland, and this piece by Sibelius came to mind. Also quite funny that it was composed in 1895, so one year after the foundation of Cantine sociali. Sibelius would have probably loved this wine..

So, my wine  - music pairing is: Produttori del Barbaresco 08 - Jean Sibelius "Swan of Tuonela"

Ok, Christmas came late for me this year apparently:)
Bartolo Mascarello - Barolo 09, Guido Porro - Barolo 08, Guiseppe Cortese - Barbaresco - Riserva 06(A fantastic wine btw.), Produttori del Barbaresco - Riserva Rabaja 08(I was happy to find couple of these), Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico 08, Guiseppe Rinaldi Barolo(brunate/le coste) 09, Brezza Barolo - Bricco Sarmasa 08, Produttori del Barbaresco"Classico" 08

I was in a Barbaresco tasting a while ago in Torino, where there was about 60 producers present. Guiseppe Cortese - Riserva 06 was showing fantastically, it was maybe the best wine of the tasting, at least for me, e.g. better than Gaja Barbareco 2010, with a fraction of the price. So I`m quite happy to put some in cellar. Also Produttori - Rabaja 08 is a very nice find, truly a fantastic vintage for Rabaja, really seems to be almost impossible to find and is quite sought-after.
I know this a bit random post, sorry:)

De Forville - Barbaresco 2008 / Ugo Lequio - Barbaresco 2011

I just arrived at Finnish countryside, central Finland, in the eastern shores of Lake Päijänne(second largest lake of Finland btw.) The first thing I always do when in countryside, is to go to a Sauna; no matter what the weather or season is, it`s mandatory:) First snow had just fallen, calming the landscape, giving everything a long-awaited tranquility. In December, just before the first snow, the nature seems always somehow restless and unease, like she just doesn´t know how to behave. But finally when the first snow falls, it´s like a warm blanket over the landscape, allowing the nature to go in to a peaceful and long winter slumber.
After the sauna, the mood was quite perfect for tasting some wines. Something warming was in place. So we decided to taste these two gorgeous, traditional Barbaresco. Young wines. Two different vintages, which is always interesting and enlightening.

Ugo Lequio
Barbaresco
2011
Gallina
DOCG
15%

Curious to taste this, as I tasted the previous vintage just month ago.
Happy to have them in cellar. Both are good vintages.
2010 seems a bit more classical and austere. Also what really was surprising is that 2010 had some interesting secondary notes, lacking in 2011: mentholy stuff, eucalyptus, black tea. Only 1 year more in bottle does that?.. or just the vintage?. 2010 has 14%  and 2011 15%. 2011 was infact a hotter year.
The bouqet is just very pretty; bright rasberry, cherry, leather, hint of wood, rose petals. Quite candyesque, cherry marmelade. nice!
Mouthfeel is intense, gorgeous focused rasberry and cherry, even some strawberries. Despite the fruitiness, the midpalate is still quite savory. Big tannins. quite strong accidity. Leaves a medium to long aftertaste with delicious cherry and rasberry notes rounded with smokyness. 15% alcohol does not show at all. Beautiful, classical, structured Barbaresco. In my opinion even better than 2010. Just a bit more umpf and character. This will age gorgeously.
92-94


De Forville
Barbaresco
2008
DOCG
14%

A friend of mine in Langhe used to work in this winery during he`s summer vacation`s (nowadays he`s a Professor  in Torino university). Through him I`ve come to know this lovely winery, which I have had also the pleasure of visiting few times. I was pleased to note that Kerin O`Keefe features this winery also in her new book "Barolo and Barbaresco, king and queen of Italian wines".

I`ve already reviewed this wine. But hey, why not give it another go, interesting to see how it shows alongside with another traditional Barbaresco, from different vintage. 2008 is considered a classical, and in some cases a bit restrained vintage, which infact this wine also confirms.
Ok, this is a bit darker one. It`s actually not surprising as the Nebbiolo grapes of Ugo Lequio wines come from Gallina vineyard, which tend to be very light in color.
Bouget is also a bit darker; loads of smoke, leather, moss, cedar, autumn leaves. tar. Quite etheral, with Burgundian "Sous bois" elements. Quite intriguing and complex.
Palate is round, balanced but powerfull. Restrained dark cherries, rose petals, tar, spices. Very savory, salty, almost soy sauce like. This wine has actually some barley characters. Fruit is not as bright and focused as in Ugo Lequio ( 2008 vintage?). Tannins are huge, although starting to show a good balance already. Medium aftertaste with tar and spices.
92+

Guiseppe Cortese - Barbaresco Riserva 2006

Long live Nebbiolo!
One of my earliest (good) wine drinking memories has to do with Barbaresco. At a random dinner, way back in 98 in Italy, Turin, (underage then btw.) I tasted it the first time. I don`t remember the producer anymore, but the taste I can actually still pretty much remember, and that I really liked it.
In general, at that time I didn`t much appreciate the taste of wine, (yes, probably too much experiences in teenage house party "wine tastings" with cheap and bad wines. Not good..) and actually only got serious about wine years later. But I`ve always felt, that it was indeed Barbaresco that hooked me in to wine, and that early wine memory, back in the halcyon days of yore. So, through the years, it has always had a very special place in my heart:).
Of course alongside with Barolo, and Nebbiolo in general, which is pretty obvious when glancing through this blog..

                                                         Barbaresco hills seen from Neive

                                                                Langhe in Autumn

Guiseppe Cortese
Rabaja
Barbaresco - Riserva
2006
DOCG
14,0%
58€(68$) Wine-searcher average price

This is a wine from a traditional Barbaresco producer. The grapes come from one of the most famous "Cru`s"  in Barbaresco; the steep and calcareous, Rabaja vineyard. Barbaresco - Riserva is only made in specially good vintages, and this is the winerys signature wine.
Aromatically very complex: exotic spices, black tea leaves, forrest floor, beautiful dark berries,  floralness, maby some hints of truffel as well. Many layers.
Mouthfeel is incredibly powerfull and intense; electrifying the complete palate. Huh, ok, this wine is a big boy. Delicious sweet and sour dark berries, earthy notes, spices, menthol, tar. Strong, but polished tannins, good accidity. Long aftertaste, leaving you gravitating for more. Addictively delicious wine. Despite all the power, this is very drinkable, but will last for ages, and develop.
94

Ugo Lequio - Barbaresco 2010

Ugo Lequio
Barbaresco
Gallina
2010
14,0%
32€(37$) Wine-searcher average price

This wine comes from an old and respected "Cru", Gallina Vineyard, in the lovely village of Neive, about 1,5 kilometers east from Barbaresco. If you ever go there, I would highly recommend the Enoteca "L`aromatorio", a fantastic Wine bar/Restaurant with traditional Piemontese cuisine, and a stunning wine list.
Barbarescos of Ugo Lequio are aged between 20 to 30 months in Slavonian casks, so much more than the 9 months minimum. Very transparent color, even for a Nebbiolo, but its not really a surprise because the producer is traditional, and wine has not seen new oak. Also wines from the Gallina "cru" tend to be very light in color.
Nose is somewhat tight; some leather, cherries and earth. But I had a flu, few weeks back, so I could have some issues with that.
First attack is beautiful; restrained, yet intense and delicious fruitiness, leather, black tea, eukalyptys. Elegant floralness. Nice accidity. It`s a young wine still, no doubt, tannins are big, but with decanting they do become smoother.
Nice finish and a long, bitterish after taste, where I also got some spicy black tea.
A classical Barbaresco, full of classical Nebbiolo beauty.
92

Gaja - Barbaresco 2010

Gaja
Barbaresco
2010
DOCG
14,5%
154€ (181$) Wine-searcher average price

No big explanations needed for this producer. A Legend. Everybody with interest in wine in Piemonte seems to have their own stories and opinions about him; some nice, some maby not so nice; but nobody is questioning he`s wine making skills and importance to the region. Barbaresco, of course, wouldn`t be Barbaresco without him. He`s present is almost ghostlike.

Nose is a bit shy, yet intriguingly complex: cherries, liquorice, violets, chocolate, earth. Very firm tannins and structure from the start. But at the same time very drinkable, even seducing. Good acid grip. Dark berries with only a hint of sweetness, almost like berries with soy sauce and balsamic vinegard, quite dry. Also some woodsy stuff, black chocolate, earth, mushrooms, spices. Smooth finish with a long, earthy aftertaste.
In this wine, balance is everything; there is really no element that is jumping over another. Every part is sewed beautifully together. I Have to admit; this is one extremely elegant and seducing wine. A perfect marriage of power and finesse.  Is it worth the money? Well let`s not go there, it`s for another discussion (highly needed in Wine World btw.). Is it worth the hype? I would have to say yes.
94

Marchesi di Gresy - Barbaresco Camp Gros 2008

Marchesi di Gresy
Camp Gross, Martinenga
Barbaresco
2008
DOCG
14,5%

The flagship wine of Marchesi di Gresy. Made from the grapes of Martinenga vineyard, the only monopole cru vineyard in Piedmont, and only in good vintage`s. 2008 was indeed a great vintage for Barbaresco.
Nose is beautiful: dark berries, hints of tobacco leaves, smokiness, herbal notes, earth with some funkiness. Very appealing.
Full bodied, quite tannic, but not in a harsh way. Good acidity. Intense mouthfeel, almost electric. Concentrated, delicious dark berries with savory elements. Quite salty taste in general. Even some smoked ham. So so delicious. And aftertaste is ridicilously long; just goes on and on, and lingers with more spices, earth, chocolate and meatiness. This is a Barbaresco at it`s finest; powerfull, yet elegant; structured, but not too austere.
A stunning wine.
95

De Forville - Barbaresco 2008

Barbaresco
De Forville
2008
DOCG
14, 00%
0.75l


Tätä samaa viiniä, ja samaa vuosikertaa on tullut maistettua muutama vuosi takaperin,
joten on mielenkiintoista nähdä miten maut ovat kehittyneet..
Viinin väri on erittäin läpinäkyvä, tiilenpunainen ja reunoiltaan ruosteinen.Tuoksu on melko ilmaisuvoimainen, hieman hapankirsikkaa erittäin maamainen, nahkainen ja melko mausteinen ja savuinen.
Maussa tulee hieman hillittyä punaista marjaa, jopa vähän mansikaa, hapankirsikkaa, ja nahkaisuutta.
Jykevähköt tanniinit pitävät viinin rakenteen hyvin hallussa.
Loppumakuun siirryttäessä tulee jonkin verran suolaisuutta, edelleen mausteisuutta, tummia marjoja ja savuisuutta. Loppumaku jatkuu myös erittäin pitkään. Muistin että viinissä olisi ollut jonkin verran kitkeryyttä, mikä silloin tällöin 08 Barbarescoissa ja Baroloissa tuntuu, mutta nyt se oli häipynyt.
Jos vertaan muutamaa vuotta nuorempaa versiota tähän, niin ensinnäkin se oli tanniineiltaan voimakkaampi ja siinä oli enemmän kitkeryyttä. Nuo elementit ovat mielestäni nyt hieman tasoittuneet, ja viini on muuttunut täyteläisemmäksi ja tasapainoisemmaksi.
Hieno viini. Konstailematon, hieman eteerinen mutta kuitenkin riittävän moniulotteinen ja mausteinen Barbaresco.
Muutaman viikon päästä olen taas Langhessa, Piemontessa ja tulee varmasti De Forvillen tilalta Barbarescoa mukaan napattua..
92