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Barbaresco Wines

Barbaresco is a red wine produced in northwest Italy’s Piedmont region. Made from 100% Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, like its Barolo counterpart, is a highly tannic and acidic wine that needs years of cellaring to reach harmony. Prior to being released in the market, DOCG regulations require that the wines are aged for a minimum of 26 months, with at least 9 months spent in wood barrels; for the riserva bottlings, there is a mandated period of 50 months aging, with at least 9 months spent in wood barrels. Although Barbaresco and Barolo have much in common, traditionally Barbaresco tends to express a more feminine side, while Barolo is characterized as masculine and stately—but certainly exceptions exist. Expressive aromatically, scents of dried cherry, raspberry, licorice and rose petals are typical of the wine. For more information on Barbaresco, visit our Wine Ratings.

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Gaja 2007 Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Cellar Selection

Price $210

This is the wine that made Angelo Gaja a household name worldwide. Made according to Barbaresco tradition, the wine reveals itself slowly at first and doles out small aromas of wild berry, licorice, root beer, smoke and graphite that become magically more intense with time in the glass. The acidity, tannic factor and overall sophistication show harmony and… — M.L. (5/1/2011)

Moccagatta 2007 Basarin Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Cellar Selection

Moccagatta’s expression from the Basarin cru will blow you away. This thickly extracted Barbaresco opens with a rich, dark appearance and opulent aromas of sweet spice, leather, toasted almond, vanilla and ripe cherry fruit. This is a big, masculine wine that would pair with pork medallions and caramelized onions. The finish is soft and slightly sweet. Keep it in… — M.L. (12/1/2010)

Punset 2004 Riserva Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Punset is a very interesting organic and biodynamic winery that tends to release its vintages much later than the others. This 2004 Riserva Barbaresco is amazingly intense and complex with deep layers of cola, white licorice, balsam notes, forest berry and dried mint. Drink from 2015–2020. — M.L. (9/1/2011)

Bruno Rocca 1999 Rabajà Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Editors' Choice

Price $85

Extraordinary stuff. The aromas practically defy description, packed with smoke, tobacco, cigar box and cured meat, all wrapped around a deep, rich core of black cherries. Picks up even more complexity in the mouth, adding vanilla, plums and dates in an expansive, mouthfilling experience, then—wham—the tannins hit home, sending you reeling and wondering when this… — W.E. (4/2/2004)

Sottimano 2005 Fausoni Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

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Price $64

Fausoni is a rich and opulent Barbaresco that presents a veritable wall of flavors that surrounds you on all sides: Vanilla, sweet cherry and chocolate are the most obvious aromas, but Indian spice and black currants also make an appearance. Awesome intensity is followed by firm structure. Drink after 2015. — M.L. (12/31/2009)

Poderi Elia 2007 Serracapelli Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Price $50

This outlier wine sparked much controversy at the Nebbiolo blind tastings because of the thickness of its extraction and the darkness of its appearance. Serracapelli is a beautifully rich wine that doesn’t necessarily highlight Barbaresco typicity. You’ll get opulent aromas of black cherry, spice, leather and moist tobacco. The mouthfeel is rich, round and velvety. — M.L. (12/1/2010)

Moccagatta 2005 Cole Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

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Price $75

This is an outstanding wine with blockbuster appeal and penetrating aromas of vanilla, sweet spice and blackberry. The wine exhibits beautiful intensity and soft layers of creamy fudge, sip after delicious sip. The finish is bright and ripe with bursting red fruit. Drink in three to five years. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. — M.L. (12/31/2009)

Orlando Abrigo 2007 Montersino Nebbiolo (Barbaresco)

Cellar Selection

Price $45

Executed in a plump, modern style (the wine is aged in small oak barrique), this delicious cru expression from Barbaresco is truly irresistible. The extraction is dark, thick and redolent of cherry, currant, blackberry, vanilla, spice and cinnamon. In the mouth, it is generous, smooth and long-lasting. This wine will appeal to modernists more than traditionalists. — M.L. (12/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Varietals

Nebbiolo Red Blend

Most Reviewed Producers [All]

Adriano Marco & Vittorio Albino Rocca Angelo Negro & Figli Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa Antichi Poderi dei Gallina Barale Fratelli Batasiolo Battaglio Bel Colle Boffa Bricco Grilli Bruno Giacosa Bruno Rocca Ca' del Baio Ca' du Rabajà Campo Verde Cantina del Nebbiolo Cantina del Pino Carlo Giacosa Ca'Romè Casa Balocca Cascina Bruciata Cascina delle Rose Cascina Luisin Cascina Morassino Cascina Saria Castello di Neive Castello di Verduno Ceretto Cigliuti Colle dei Venti Contratto Dante Rivetti Elio Filippino Eredi Lodali Feyles Fontanabianca Fontanafredda Francone Fratelli Casetta Gaja Giacosa Fratelli Giribaldi Giuseppe Cortese Grasso Fratelli La Ca' Nova La Contea La Fiammenga La Ganghija La Spinetta La Spinona Marchesi di Barolo Massimo Penna Mauro Bussi Michele Chiarlo Michele Taliano Moccagatta Molino Montaribaldi Musso Nada Giuseppe Negro Giuseppe Oddero Olek Bondonio Orlando Abrigo Pasquale Pelissero Pelissero Pe're Alessandro Pertinace Piazzo Armando Pier Piero Busso Pietro Rinaldi Pio Cesare Poderi Colla Poderi Elia Prinsi Produttori del Barbaresco Prunotto Punset Rattalino Ressia Rivetti Massimo Rivetto Rizzi Roagna Roberto Sarotto Rocca Felice Ronchi di Giancarlo Rocca Salvano Socré Sottimano Tenimenti Ca' Bianca Tenuta Carretta Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy Terre da Vino Ugo Lequio Valfieri Varaldo Vietti Vigin Villa Ilaria Villadoria Vinchio-Vaglio Serra

2009 Chronicle Cerise Vineyard

One sip is all it takes to know this is a terrific Pinot Noir. It’s dry…

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