Winemaker Notes
This Barbaresco stands out for its harmonious, well-balanced expression, with a luscious floral-scented bouquet, magisterial structure, and lingering taste. At once crisp and elegant, with a succulent mouthfeel this superb classic lends itself to immediate enjoyment or to medium/long-term cellaring.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A fresh, juicy red highlighted by cherry, plum, tar, grass and eucalyptus flavors. Gains support from vibrant acidity and pliable tannins as this cruises to a long aftertaste of fruit, vegetal and mineral notes.
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James Suckling
Subtle aromas of red berries, ground spices and dried red flowers with hints of nutmeg and citrus peel. Medium-bodied and juicy with velvety, nicely integrated tannins and a polished finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Giuseppe Cortese 2020 Barbaresco delivers aromas of crushed rose, redcurrant, licorice and camphor ash. The mouthfeel is lean and polished, and this classic Barbaresco offers a solid near to medium-term drinking window thanks to its open, fruit-forward style.
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Vinous
The 2020 Barbaresco is redolent of crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cedar, spice, orange peel, new leather and white pepper. Aromatic, lifted and quite brilliant, the 2020 is super-expressive in the early going. All the elements are so well balanced. This is so pleasurable today.
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Wine Enthusiast
This charming Barbaresco is lifted from the glass with aromas of black cherry, purple flowers, and wild herbs. Juicy mixed berries dance on the palate, perfectly framed by approachable tannins. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg add a delightful touch of sweet spice, while crunchy acidity keeps everything lively. This Barbaresco is good to go and ready to be enjoyed—no need to wait!
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
A wine that most perfectly conveys the spirit and essence of its place, Barbaresco is true reflection of terroir. Its star grape, like that in the neighboring Barolo region, is Nebbiolo. Four townships within the Barbaresco zone can produce Barbaresco: the actual village of Barbaresco, as well as Neive, Treiso and San Rocco Seno d'Elvio.
Broadly speaking there are more similarities in the soils of Barbaresco and Barolo than there are differences. Barbaresco’s soils are approximately of the same two major soil types as Barolo: blue-grey marl of the Tortonion epoch, producing more fragile and aromatic characteristics, and Helvetian white yellow marl, which produces wines with more structure and tannins.
Nebbiolo ripens earlier in Barbaresco than in Barolo, primarily due to the vineyards’ proximity to the Tanaro River and lower elevations. While the wines here are still powerful, Barbaresco expresses a more feminine side of Nebbiolo, often with softer tannins, delicate fruit and an elegant perfume. Typical in a well-made Barbaresco are expressions of rose petal, cherry, strawberry, violets, smoke and spice. These wines need a few years before they reach their peak, the best of which need over a decade or longer. Bottle aging adds more savory characteristics, such as earth, iron and dried fruit.