Wine Cellar has had a deep love for Nebbiolo for many decades. The Barbaresco region in Piedmont is much smaller than Barolo, making these wines rather scarce commodities. And because Barbarescos are often undervalued in the global market, they’re the ultimate value option for quality Piedmont.
‘The 2019s are deep, layered Barbarescos that show the heights of what is possible here,’ says Antonio Galloni of Vinous.
From the legendary and classical 2019 vintage, the Barbarescos on offer come from two icons: the best cooperative in the world, Produttori del Barbaresco (est. 1894), and the ultimate Barbaresco and Barolo classicists, Pio Cesare (est. 1881). Both brought their A-game with these 2019 releases, showing delicate aromatics of florals, tea leaf and cherries with a spicy, mineral kick, deep-fruited core, and everlasting tannins.
Generally speaking, Nebbiolos from Barbaresco are more elegant and refined than their burlier Barolo neighbours. Produttori’s 2019 Barbaresco has been lauded as ‘a very serious piece of kit’ (Greg Sherwood); ‘a fantastic expression’ (Jeb Dunnuck); and ‘a gorgeous wine to drink over the next 15 to 20 years’ (Antonio Galloni). Pio Cesare’s 2019 Barbaresco is ‘super-exuberant’ (Jeb Dunnuck); a ‘graceful, well-toned red’ (Wine Spectator); and ‘silky and slender in structure’ (Wine Advocate).
Buy and try a slice of history with these prestigious wines from the vintage of the decade.
Tasting Notes:
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2019
‘High expectations for this new release coming from such a highly lauded vintage, the 2019 does not disappoint. Bold and punchy from start to finish, the nose boasts a multi-layered melange of lavender, violets, ripe red and black cherries, botte oak spice, potpourri and perfumed bathroom soaps. Seductive and muscular, the palate is as bold as it gets with a rich vein of textured mineral tannins over dense, sweet pithy berry fruits before the finish is overwhelmed by a chalky, spicy, stony minerality. This is a very serious piece of kit with high aspirations and serious intent that is sure to seduce serious Piedmont Nebbiolo collectors.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 95/100
‘There is a more pronounced mineral and delicately spiced character to the 2019 Barbaresco, with notes of wet asphalt and kirsch and vibrant purity. It has elegant concentration, with fine coiled tannins in its hints of tea leaves, bergamot, and ripe wild raspberry, and has a more pronounced structure, This is a fantastic expression.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, 94-95/100
Pio Cesare Barbaresco Pio 2019
‘This is a very typical Barbaresco, with a solid core of fruit. Lots of strawberries, cedar and chewy tannins. Full and structured. Excellent length, with the tannins kicking in at the end. This needs at least four or five years of bottle age.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 95/100
