1

Piedmont

Barbaresco

Some would argue that if Barolo is the King of Wine, Barbaresco’s Nebbiolos are the Queens, such generalisations can appeal, yet, they misrepresent reality.

The implication is that Barolo is more masculine, Barbaresco more feminine. Like so many of the worlds wine regions this is dependent on site, viticultural and winemaking practices. Over the last few decades Barbaresco has evolved significantly in all three of these factors, whilst site has remained the same, climate at the site hasn’t, the detail and thought put into grape growing has like the winemaking continued to be pushed to make better wines.

The thinking around this, the wine philosophy has shifted too. The spectrum of styles has shifted to wines that are less rustic, more refined and restrained.

First Records of Wine Production

The widely accepted birthdate of Barbaresco is 1894, when Cantina Sociale di Barbaresco was founded, as before that date Nebbiolo grapes from the Barbaresco area were mostly sold to Barolo producers.

Barbaresco has held DOCG status since 1980.

Founding Figures

The first and second world wars pushed the region into an abyss. In the 1950’s Barbaresco stir to life again thanks to a new generation of dynamic winemakers, including Bruno Giacosa and Angelo Gaja. In addition, the local parish priest, Don Fiorino Marengo, founded Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative cellar, the successor to Cavazza’s original vision to make outstanding wine and stop the exodus of young farmers who were abandoning the countryside.

By the late 1960s, the Gaja and Bruno Giacosa wineries began to market Barbaresco internationally with some success. The Produttori cooperative became one of the most respected cellars in Italy and inspired more landholders in Barbaresco to return to their vineyards and to make quality wine.

Area Planted & Geology

Barbaresco’s production is around ⅓ of Barolo’s. The call is that the soils are similar to those of the Communes of La Morra and the Commune of Barolo. Not that you’d match the personality of the wines with the commune comparison. The Tanaro river plays a significant role influencing the region maritime climate (moderating the temperature highs and lows).

Established Regions

There are 4 regions producing Barbaresco, the first, Commune di Barbaresco surrounding the actual township of Barbaresco and producing around 45% of the production, the second Commune di Neive with around 35%, Commune di Treiso with around 20%, and, the Commune di Alba.

Like Barolo a massive body of work has been undertaken to define and classify the Cru vineyards in Barbaresco. You’ll see names like Pajé, Rabajà, Montestefano, Montefico, Asili, Pora, Rio Sordo, Ovello, Gallina, Rombone, and, Roncagliette on labels. Some like Gaja use names of Cuvees on rather than the Cru. Gaja name their wine made from the Roncagliette Cru, Sori Tildin.

Most Common Varieties

White – Moscato

Red – Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto.


Albino Rocca


Albino Rocca ‘Ronchi’ Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Wow! Tagged as the best holding of the estate you can see why! Tasting this 6 months after Galloni, it looks to be resolving and very nicely so! Still dark and brooding, all of the components are there in the right place at the right volume. Red and dark fruit with baking spice marry a perfume that builds with time in the glass. Sophisticated yet intense with a core of fruit, savoury and eathy layers matched to fine grape tannins & acid. Balanced and together, a classic. Impressive stuff.
$129
$124ea in any 3+
$119ea in any 6+

Albino Rocca ‘Angelo’ Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

In hommage to Angelo this goes back to his father’s days when blending was the norm. A truly beautiful blend. The gentle fruit handling and longer maceration or lunga macerazione (55 days here) has yielded a lovely perfume, a savoury core of fruit with delicacy and persistence. The tannins are wonderful. There’s a little truffle, a little liquorice, a little of lots of things coming to play. This is a wine worthy of being a hommage! Each parcel is picked separately, 3-4 days apart, and added
$226
$216ea in any 3+
$206ea in any 6+

Cortese's Rabajàs


Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

A Langhe Nebb made from young vine Rabajà .. Yes it's true! Always a fun wine. Elegant and juicy fruited, with solid core of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. It’s a playful Langhe. The 2020 sits true to pedigree. Perfumed with a savoury twang, a little orange. Loads of fun to be had here. Always better after an extra year in bottle & a good decant. Will reward 2-5 years patience. Even his Langhe Neb is young vine Rabajà!
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+

One of the best value Barbarescos on the Market!

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

For the coin this sitting in a great spot! Here’s a good value from Piedmont. The Giuseppe Cortese 2019 Barbaresco is fine and silky with determined aromas of dried fruit, pressed rose, licorice and crushed stone. The wine shows classic Nebbiolo aromas in a simple manner and with just enough complexity to underline the distinct personality of this special grape. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate 92 Points The second release of this wine comprising young vines from Rabaja and older
$86
$82ea in any 3+
$78ea in any 6+

The Standard Bearer!

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

🍇RABAJÀ RABAJÀ RABAJÀ 🇮🇹 The 2019 Barbaresco Rabaja is a powerful, austere wine that is going to need a number of years to come around. I very much like the energy, but readers should not plan on opening a bottle any time soon, as the 2019 is seriously tannic and shut down at the moment. It’s a gorgeous Barbaresco that shows the more elegant hand that defines the approach today. Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 Points The Rabajà sees a jump in sophistication depth and length.
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+

Produttori del Barbaresco


Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Once again proving PdB's Barbaresco is a great benchmark! The 2020 still so youthful unfurls in the glass with time. Perfumed, flowing into generous yet retrained red fruits. Energy with length and layered tanin. Beautifully weighted through the palate. Slatey, mineral with graphite fine tannins. A little spice and a faint resinous line adding to the intrigue. A complete wine that screams Barbaresco. The 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+

Serraboella Cru x 2


Bera Barbaresco ‘Serraboella’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

Excellent drinking at this price point. Complete with well developed strawberries and cream with savoury, generous fruit. Playful and fun, solid depth and length. This is a big step up from the standard Barbaresco. The sophistication of mouthfeel, layering of tannins and flavours marking the difference. Serraboella turns out wines of interest from a number of producers including Barale, looking forward to seeing their 2019 too! This one is well worth a look.
$117
$112ea in any 3+
$107ea in any 6+
They understand the rule book so have thrown it away only to be used when they know they need to. I guess that's what 150 years of making wine can give you! The 2016 of this was a cracker. True to the vintage & site with bold yet refined structure. The 2019 is again a cracker and true to vintage. This time all grace and elegance from what is proving a classic year. Beautifully weighted, the body of this slightly warmer vineyard with the clarity and sophistication of 2019 Barbaresco. Rich
$121
$116ea in any 3+
$111ea in any 6+

Francesco Versio + Luigi Oddero


Stunning!

Figli Luigi Oddero ‘Rombone’ Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Treiso, Barbaresco

Some sort of crazy wine magic is happening! Dec 2023: Over the last 12 months. This has resolved beautifully and is looking very good. Flow is exceptional. Long fine beautifully weighted and balanced against superb fine long tannins.  Barbaresco had a really clean run at picking before the rain. Beautiful classic blue fruit, laurel/bay and a divine perfume. From the crown of Rombone on the southwest side which is dramatically different to the north side. Simply put ... Intoxicating!
$155
$150ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+
Superb! Bravi Francesco!🍷

Francesco Versio Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Neive, Barbaresco

The 'Side Project' of ex-Bruno Giacosa's winemaker Francesco Versio this is a stunner! The Francesco Versio 2019 Barbaresco is delicate and fine, almost fragile, with iris root, rusty nail, cassis and licorice root. The wine is carefully balanced to show the intensity of the grape, yet its aromatic profile is carefully measured and contained overall. This is an exciting wine with impeccable winemaking. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate 95 Points A Neive village blend of San Cristoforo, Curr
$166
$159ea in any 3+
$152ea in any 6+

Poderi Colla's 2019 Roncagliette


Poderi Colla Barbaresco ‘Roncaglie’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

The Hit List from 2019 Barbaresco is Insane! Now this from one of Piedmont's God Fathers! The three Crus Roncaglie, Roncagliette and Roncaglini make superb wines. Colla's 2019 Roncaglie re-enforcing the reputation! Yes, it is still tight, yet straight out of the gate it is clear something special is going on. Put it this way, I just trippled my order! Stunning perfume, layered in savoury & slate notes over a core of red fruit with darkness at the edge. Mouthfeel is incredibly important wi
$156
$149ea in any 3+
$142ea in any 6+

Sottimano's 2019 Barbaresco Cru's


Sottimano Barbaresco ‘Basarin’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

As with the 2016, Sottimano's 2019 Basarin is a cracker. Finely balanced with the juicy acid that sits across Sottimano's 2019's. There's more immediate generosity compared with the Fausoni at this early stage. Excellent depth and length with fine long tannins. As with the 2016 this has to be one of the best handling of a tiny proportion of new oak in Barbaresco that you'll find. The is great drinking with beautiful shape. The fruit again shining through with an intoxicating set of aromas and f
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+

Sottimano Barbaresco ‘Fausoni’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

The Cru's of the Commune of Nieve in Barbaresco in general have an elegance, a fine feel to them. Fausoni fits that bill. The 2019 is defined with an excellent acid tannin complex at 14% Alcohol. With a little air time and coaxing the perfume comes, the fruit builds and the balance refines. Full of energy and life, red fruits, slate, earthiness, a little tar, leather, orange citrus and beyond are at play. Fine, dusty tannins add a nice level of grip to match the depth and length of fruit. This w
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+

Sottimano Barbaresco ‘Pajorè’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Treiso, Italy

From one of the famed Cru's of the Commune of Treiso, Barbaresco. A classic, superb fruit of depth and considerable length here, backed by long tannins of excellent mouthfeel. Loads going on with darker fruits and an array of complexing earthy, savoury notes, spices and blood orange adding layer after layers of subtle complexity. Plenty in the tank here too. Classic Barbaresco. Wait 5 years before trying.
$159
$152ea in any 3+
$145ea in any 6+

A Museum Release of 2016!

Sottimano Barbaresco ‘Basarin’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

Pair this up with the Currá and have a little Neb-Festa! Having two wines side by side from adjacent vineyards is always fun. Inevitably it's a demonstration in just how much varriation there is between vineyards with very short distances between them. They house style is evident. Basarin has a more elegant feel to it over the richer Currá, though it is still has a bit of weight to it. Normally, I am not an advocate of new oak in Barolo or Barbaresco. Here there is just a lick here from 10% ne
$165
$158ea in any 3+
$151ea in any 6+

Sottimano Barbaresco ‘Currá’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

My cup overfloweth! Barbaresco kicking it up a gear! My first taste of a Sottimano. WOW! This is stunning. Such a complete wine. It has everything and all the right places. A density and richness of dark fruit. Long, lingering and delicious. The richness is perfectly tempered by exceptional tannins of depth. This has been expertly macerated, the time on skins during ferment and just following the completion of the alcoholic fermentation is apparently around 40 days. That time has woven, truffles
$209
$199ea in any 3+
$189ea in any 6+

Poderi Oddero + La Ca'Növa


La Ca’ Növa Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Excellent bright fruit, fine dusty tannins, long with a beautiful flavour profile, poised and delicious. Thirst-quenching drink. Red fruits, with a little, orange citrus, slight savoury note. Great balance here. A joy. Tasted 30 May 2022. La Ca' Növa 2019 Barbaresco will tempt readers with its effusive aromatics and compelling Nebbiolo fruit, but a few years in bottle are advisable to help the tannins soft. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2019 is such a great example of w
$103
$99ea in any 3+
$95ea in any 6+

Oddero Barbaresco ‘Gallina’ 2019

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

Oddero are doing such a wonderful job with this vineyard! Youthful and in need of a decant if you crack it young. Everything is there and in the right places. Energetic, vibrant red fruits, with a pleasant grip, hints of tar and an expressive perfume. Loads of fun to be had here. The best Barbaresco's from 2019 make for exhilarating drinking. Paul Kaan, WINE DECODED The 2019 Barbaresco Gallina is a very pretty, effusive wine. Crushed raspberry, flowers, mint and sweet pipe tobacco a
$120
$115ea in any 3+
$110ea in any 6+

2019 Langhe Neb's from Barbaresco


Filters & Sorting

Showing 96 Delicious Wines!

🍷Bravo Luca!🇮🇹

Roagna Dolcetto d’Alba 2020

Dolcetto | Barbaresco, Italy

This comes across more like a Neb than Dolcetto! None of the juby, puppy fat, perfumed, elegant, lovely texture and elevage .. just stunning! Roagna's Dolcettos really are something special. When you're feeling like something a little different, made with old vine fruit from the incredible sites Pajè and Carso in Barbaresco.  Applying the same skill and effort as for the Barbaresco and Barolo this is the wine to rip the cork out of! Has to be one of the best kept secrets coming out of Piede
$59
$56ea in any 3+
$53ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

A Langhe Nebb made from young vine Rabajà .. Yes it's true! Always a fun wine. Elegant and juicy fruited, with solid core of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. It’s a playful Langhe. The 2020 sits true to pedigree. Perfumed with a savoury twang, a little orange. Loads of fun to be had here. Always better after an extra year in bottle & a good decant. Will reward 2-5 years patience. Even his Langhe Neb is young vine Rabajà!
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+
Get Ahead of the Curve!

Vietti ‘Perbacco’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Two of the best value Neb's on the market have to be Vietti's Castiglione Barolo and this wine Vietti's Perbacco! The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is another terrific entry-level wine from Vietti. In this vintage, the Perbacco is especially fine. Sweet dried cherry, herbs, mint, crushed flowers, anise and orange peel grace this striking, alluring Nebbiolo. There's tons of depth and sheer pedigree, things that have not always been present in recent editions. For years, Perbacco was a very seriou
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+

Vietti ‘Perbacco’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Galloni's interpretation intrigues. The knowledge of the Monforte component in the blend partially explains the bold nature of the tannins. I suspect there are pressings from the Cru Barolos in here. It will require a little patience to unfurl, relax and show its full potential. All of the components are there. Time will see them dial into the right levels, the superb core of fruit develop and the tannins soften. Aromas of grape marc, earthiness, and a little spice wraps dark & brood
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+

Cascina Roccalini Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

When a young winery pop's up a little leg work is required to suss them out. Obviously, the most important thing is what's in the glass. Let's add the other bits of the equation though. The vineyards are right next to Olek Bondonio's joint, they used to supply their Neb to Dante Scaglione at Bruno Giacosa for ten years, and Dante helped them start their own venture. BOOM! Back to the vino. The starting point of their 3 wine range. Young vine Neb, destined to become Barbaresco when the vineyar
$63
$60ea in any 3+
$57ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

A Langhe Nebb made from young vine Rabajà .. Yes it's true! Always a fun wine. Elegant and juicy fruited, with solid core of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. It’s a playful Langhe. Typically perfumed with a savoury twang, a little orange. Loads of fun to be had here. Always better after an extra year in bottle & a good decant. Will reward 2-5 years patience. Even his Langhe Neb is young vine Rabajà!
$64
$61ea in any 3+
$58ea in any 6+
Many of Barolo's greats would argue that you should judge a maker on their Dolcetto before their Nebbiolo! Giacosa does Dolcetto justice. The missing links for Dolcetto are typically sorting reduction and developing the wine sufficiently. Giacosa jumps those hurdles with ease and breezes past the finish line with quality fruit & considered handling to offer us a wine with a refined mouthfeel. Savoury, vibrant, dark, with an excellent core of fruit thirst-quenching and delicious. Straight
$70
$67ea in any 3+
$64ea in any 6+
Superb! Bravi Francesco!🍷

Francesco Versio Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Neive, Italy

The 'Side Project' of ex-Bruno Giacosa's winemaker Francesco Versio ... His 1st Langhe Neb Release! There is no mistaking the quality here. It all makes sense when you discover the fruit is destined to make Barbaresco, sourced from the 50:50 Starderi and Currà cru. Seriously good P.1.S.S. Call it a cheap Barbaresco instead of a Langhe Neb. Perfume and energy with divine mouthfeel. Juicy, thirst quenching and still with plenty more to come!  
$75
$72ea in any 3+
$69ea in any 6+
Many of Barolo's greats would argue that you should judge a maker on their Dolcetto before their Nebbiolo! Giacosa does Dolcetto justice. The missing links for Dolcetto are typically sorting reduction and developing the wine sufficiently. Giacosa jumps those hurdles with ease and breezes past the finish line with quality fruit & considered handling to offer us a wine with a refined mouthfeel. Savoury, vibrant, dark, with an excellent core of fruit thirst-quenching and delicious. Straight
$75
$72ea in any 3+
$69ea in any 6+

Olek Bondonio Barbera 2021

Barbera | Piedmont, Barbaresco

This is how you do Barbera! My note is a replica of the last: Dark, brooding. Lovely élévage, well-developed pre-bottling. Yes, it’s still young, of course. Where so many Barbara’s are raw at this point there is a sense of togetherness. It’s a pure expression of the grape without interference from oak. It looks to have spent reasonable time on skins, the extraction and flavour development adding the earthy, skin contact/maceration character, and quality tannin wrapping quality frui
$82
$78ea in any 3+
$74ea in any 6+

Francesco Versio Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

The 'Side Project' of ex-Bruno Giacosa's winemaker Francesco Versio! Baby Barbaresco anyone? Simply delicious. Shows exceptional touch. Fresh, energetic with a delicacy matched to an intoxicating perfume underpinned by vibrant red fruits, complexing earthing, licorice, sour cherry and a little woody herb. Perfectly balanced this is stunning and ridiculous for the coin. The Francesco Versio 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo shows terrific balance (and great value) with plenty of wild berry fruit and fr
$82
$79ea in any 3+
$76ea in any 6+

Olek Bondonio Rosso Guillietta Pelaverga 2021

Pelaverga Piccolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Very pale colour. Olek's hallmark harmony & development, complexity & balance. Together & composed. Stylistically you could argue that it's a light red or bold Rosé. Either way it's delicious. A core of vibrant strawberry fruit & musk with a slatey pop & earthy layer. Charming, energetic with loads of zippy, crunchy acid and fine tannin combining into a pleasantly chalky mouthfeel. Thirst quenching with a very complete feel to it. I shall be seeking more Pelaverga Picc
$83
$79ea in any 3+
$75ea in any 6+

Olek Bondonio Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Well, well, well. The young vine Roncagliette that grew up and went into Olek's Barbresco may no longer be here, this could come from Timbuktu as far as I'm concerned. What is in the glass deserves far more than a Langhe Nebbiolo classification. The most important part of Raf's note '...all wrapped in Olek's charm'. If you've had his wines before you'll know exactly what this means. Beautifully composed, energetic, complex, a layered flowing winey of superb harmony! Do not dally! This Neb
$85
$81ea in any 3+
$77ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

For the coin this sitting in a great spot! Here’s a good value from Piedmont. The Giuseppe Cortese 2019 Barbaresco is fine and silky with determined aromas of dried fruit, pressed rose, licorice and crushed stone. The wine shows classic Nebbiolo aromas in a simple manner and with just enough complexity to underline the distinct personality of this special grape. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate 92 Points The second release of this wine comprising young vines from Rabaja and older
$86
$82ea in any 3+
$78ea in any 6+
One of Italy’s great value red wines, the Barbera d’Alba ‘Casa Vinicola’ is an expression of Barbera fruit sourced from around the Barolo and Barbaresco sub-regions. This is one of the longest standing labels in Giacosa’s stable having first been produced in 1969, just after the first Barolos and Barbarescos of the mid-60’s. These days it is a refreshing red that shows the ripe red berries of great Barberas from Alba, alongside notably sinewy tannins and a good mineral core.
$101
$96ea in any 3+
$91ea in any 6+
Energy++

Giovanni Sordo Barbaresco 2016

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Incredible perfume, the hallmark Sordo attention to texture and harmony. Incredible transparency and complexity! A blend from Treiso, Barbaresco and Nieve with exceptional energy and vitality. Lively, balanced acidity. Vibrant juicy cherry fruit, excellent mouthfeel. Incredibly transparency. Wicked complexity so much going on. Layered. Showing just how good 2016 Barbaresco is. Such a refreshing wine.
$102
$99ea in any 3+
$96ea in any 6+