This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Gaja
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The 2018 Barbaresco has really come together nicely since I last tasted it. A super-classic wine, the 2018 offers up soaring aromatics, mid-weight structure and fine balance. Pure, transparent and impeccable in its balance, the 2018 is just sublime today. Time has been so beneficial here. Crushed red berry, spice, mint and rose petal grave this effusive, refined Barbaresco from Gaja. This is the best showing of the 2018 yet, and I say that having tasted a few bottles already. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Albino Rocca
Ronchi Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The 2018 Barbaresco Ronchi is another gorgeous wine in this lineup from Rocca. As always, the Ronchi is a Barbaresco of breadth and power. In 2018, those qualities are expressed in a decidedly understated manner. Wild cherry, plum, sage, tobacco and menthol are all kicked up in this super-expressive Barbaresco. Hints of orange peel, spice, star anise and sweet pipe tobacco grace the layered, exquisite finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Poderi Colla
Roncaglie Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The Colla family's 2018 Barbaresco Roncaglie packs quite a punch in its deceptively medium-bodied frame. A burst of cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, herbs and dried cherry fruit makes a great first impression. The 2018 is going to need a few years to soften. It is unusually firm today, and yet full of promise for the future. All this needs is a bit of patience. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Giuseppe Cortese
Rabajà Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The 2018 Barbaresco Rabajà expresses all of its classicism and nuance in an ethereal, nervy style that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to unwind. Readers will notice a Rabajà that is more finesse than muscle, the direction these wines have trended in over the last few years. Sage, mint, tobacco, licorice and incense are laced into the resonant finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Cantina del Pino
Ovello Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2017
The 2017 Barbaresco Ovello is a superb effort for the year. Bright, aromatic and effusive, the 2017 is so expressive right out of the bottle. It has the vintage 2017 power found in all the wines here, but also the cut and verve that make Ovello one of the most distinctive sites in all of Barbaresco. It is such a gorgeous wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Albino Rocca
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The 2018 Barbaresco is a terrific introduction to the year. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, dried flowers and rose petal all grace this ethereal, classy Barbaresco from the Rocca family. Silky tannins give the 2018 tons of up-front appeal and plenty of charm. This is beautifully done. The straight Barbaresco is mostly Meruzzano plus young vines in Ronchi. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Piero Busso
Mondino Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
An attractive, mid-weight wine, Busso's 2018 Barbaresco Mondino offers plenty of up-front appeal and charm. Cherries in liqueur, cinnamon, dried rose petal and new leather lend aromatic presence. I would give the nervy tannins a few years to soften here, but would also not wait too long, as the 2018 comes across as a near-term drinker. The alcohol feels a bit pronounced here, otherwise the 2018 is nicely done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno
Bordini Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2018
The 2018 Barbaresco Bordini is a dark, full-bodied wine that expresses the natural intensity of this sector in Neive. Readers will find a bold, structured Barbaresco endowed with serious depth. Black cherry, sage, menthol, licorice, mocha and spice are all kicked up in a Barbaresco that balances energy with size. The 2018 is one of the best versions of this wine I can remember tasting. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Azienda Agricola Ronchi
Barbaresco 2017
The 2017 Barbaresco Ronchi is darker, richer and more potent than the straight bottling, but ultimately the two wines aren't as different as they have been or should be. I imagine at least some of that is attributable to the vintage. Black cherry, smoke, tobacco, licorice and leather all meld together nicely. The heat of the vintage is a bit more evident here, but is also nicely balanced. The 2017 finishes with notable substance and power. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2016 Barbaresco Montestefano is magical. Bright and translucent, the 2016 pulses with energy from the very first taste. This is about as classic as things get in Barbaresco today. Sweet rose petal, cinnamon, dried flowers, cedar and mint all give this ethereal, wonderfully nuanced Barbaresco ton of subtlety. A kick of bright Nebbiolo acids and tannins give energy and shape. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago