Winemaker Notes
Basarin is among the most fascinating hills of the Langhe, its grandeur makes it so attractive. Ever since famed vineyard of the village of Neve, exposition to South, from which it derives its name that means "kissed by the sun." Very steep, at the crossroads of the three villages of Neive Treiso and Barbaresc, it leads to spiced, fine and elegant wines. Became famous through the priest of Neive, that among many vineyards he selected the grapes from Basarin and Gallina to make his best Barbaresco. In the years many other producers claimed this vineyard, from 2018 it has become part of Paitin's production. The alter-ego of Serraboella, this wine plays his strength through its slenderness full of character.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Barbaresco Basarin is subdued and graceful on first nose, and the wine continues in a similar vein throughout. It opens readily to cassis, wild cherry and rose, followed by licorice and tar. The 2019 vintage is characterized by firm quality fruit that adds to lasting density and length. Production is 3,125 bottles, and the Paitin house style always prioritizes elegance and finesse.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of forest floor, new leather and dark spice mingle together in the glass along with a whiff of camphor on this fragrant red. Showing a racy elegance and youthful tension, the taut palate features juicy Morello cherry, blood orange and licorice framed in close-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It's youthfully austere and will benefit with more bottle age. Drink 2029–2039.
-
James Suckling
A firm and tight Barbaresco with linear and fine tannins that spread across the palate. Medium body. Citrusy undertone to the fruit and a fresh finish.
-
Wine Spectator
This red's plump texture is packed with cherry and raspberry flavors, while vivid acidity and dusty tannins provide support. Firms up on the finish, delivering details of earth, licorice and white pepper. Best from 2026 through 2039.
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.