Produttori del Barbaresco - Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2021
Price: $95.97
| Producer | Produttori del Barbaresco |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Subregion | Barbaresco |
| Varietal | Nebbiolo |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 13853 |
Produttori del Barbaresco Description
The two thousand and twenty-one vintage began with a mild winter, though plenty of rain and two snow storms ensured an excellent supply of water, which proved to be essential over the course of the rest of the season, mainly dry.
A mild month of March was followed by a cooler than average April and May, with limited rainfall and chilly nights and brisk mornings until the beginning of June.
Despite the cool Spring weather, the Nebbiolo variety, which is an early developer and therefore potentially more at risk, was not significantly affected and flowering and setting went on normally. The crop load though, was not too high – an estimated 10% lower than in 2020 – reducing the need for green harvesting and giving a naturally balance yield in most of the vineyard sites. June brought warmer weather and a couple of short rainstorms and was followed by a warm, but below average July. Over all a nice summer, dry, but never too hot. An intense rainstorm come on August 2nd, with limited, localized hail damage. The middle of August, second and third week, was the hottest time of the year when the maximum temperatures were close to 35°C/95°F. First half of September remained warm while the second half brought the cooler nights so important for a proper Nebbiolo maturation.
The harvesting of Nebbiolo began on October 6th and it was over in Barbaresco by October 18th. The grapes were healthy, with optimal phenological maturity facilitated by the intense day-night temperature variations. In terms of quantity, crop loads were optimal and well-balanced, with visibly smaller berries than last year. These factors resulted in a strong polyphenolic content, essential to produce wines of structure and balance intended for lengthy ageing.
In conclusion, we can say that remarkable results have been achieved in terms of the quality of the grapes, which will produce excellent Barbaresco wines with intense aromatic complexity.
Wine Spectator: 98 Points
There’s a core of cherry, raspberry, rose, earth and eucalyptus in this powerful yet reserved Barbaresco. Flashes of orange peel and amaro emerge as the vivid acidity kicks in. The tannins are accordingly dense, and this shuts down on the finish today. Nevertheless, there’s a majesty to this red and the sense of a thoroughbred waiting to emerge.
Wine Advocate: 98 Points
Based on growing intensity, the Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà was tasted last in this series. It is beautifully defined by a distinctive mineral note of crushed chalk and flinty stone. There is plenty of elegant fruit with wild berry, sour cherry and blue flower aromas, but everything is framed by that precise dusty-mineral signature that gives the wine its strong sense of identity. The balance between fruit and minerality is especially compelling, with neither element overwhelming the other. Sourced from 3.7 hectares of vines on calcareous clay soils, Rabajà shows fine-grained tannins, exceptional length and a level of focus that places it among the standout wines of this remarkable vintage.
Vinous Media: 97 Points
The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is dark, powerful and explosive. That's the good news. Readers will have to be patient with this brooding, sepia-toned Barbaresco. Dark fruit, graphite, new leather, licorice, scorched earth and gravel add to an impression of muscular gravitas. The 2021 needs a bit of time in the glass to start opening, but when it does, it's magnificent.
James Suckling: 95 Points
Classic and intense yet fresh, showing sweet-violet and cherry-pit aromas, this is slightly mineral and savory with graceful balsamic depth. Medium-bodied and approachable with velvety tannins wrapped in dried flowers, tight yet interwoven in the very long finish.
