April 28, 2012 – Produttori di Barbaresco Tasting – 2007 Riservas – Vintages, Concord, MA
First, a big thank you to Eric and the Vintages staff for arranging this event to celebrate the release of the 2007 Produttori di Barbaresco Riservas here in Massachusetts. I had a chance to try each of the 2007 Riservas, with the exception of the 2007 Rabajà, which was not available to try. In addition to the 2007s, a couple of lovely older vintages were also open, and those bottles capably demonstrated how well the Produttori wines can age. This is one of my absolute favorite Piedmontese producers, and all of these wines were excellent.
All of the 2007s had been opened on the previous day, so they had ample time to open up before I tried them.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagotta
This cru used to be labeled as Moccagatta. Full-bodied, elegant, well balanced, with good underlying acidity; shows somewhat more forward fruit, with notes of cherries, minerals/stones, roses, and mint. One of the most accessible of these wines right now.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè
Full-bodied, nicely balanced, with lightly grainy, yet elegant, tannins; very mineral - almost chalky, with attractive cherry and red fruit notes.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Pora
Very fresh and attractive berry nose. Full, nicely balanced, very poised and focused, with elegant tannins; shows notes of cherries and red fruits; gravel, tar, spices, and a bit of menthol.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico
Full, very elegant, nicely balanced, with fine tannins; very complex, with notes of blueberries, cherries, minerals, flowers, herbs and spices, and a bit of mint. Showing quite well – this is my favorite of the 2007 crus at this time.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Asili
Tighter all around, more structured, a bit fuller and more powerful. This isn’t showing quite as much as most of the others yet, and will probably need more time. I did, however, get some attractive cherry fruit, spices, and strong underlying minerality here.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo
Full, powerful, nicely balanced and structured, with great acidity; showing notes of mixed berries, sour cherries, bricks, minerals, and spices.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello
Full, somewhat rounder, nicely structured; a bit more outwardly fruity than some, as seems typical for this site, with a harmonious mixture of Bing and sour cherry flavors, along with notes of bricks, spices, and tar.
2007 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano
Fuller, more powerful, a bit more feral; nicely balanced and structured. Shows plum and cherry flavors, along with notes of minerals, spices, earth, and tar.
1975 Barbaresco
Just the “regular” bottling of Barbaresco; none of the crus were bottled individually in this vintage, which I was told was a cooler year overall.
Nose is redolent with coffee. Full-bodied, elegant, smooth, well balanced, with notes of spices, tobacco, walnuts, blueberries, sour cherries, minerals, and tar.
1970 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
Served from a decanter. Wilder, earthy, lightly funky, yet elegant nose. Full-bodied, elegant, well balanced, earthy/mineral, with notes of mixed berries, cherries, baking spices, tobacco, roast meats, and caramel.