Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  November/December 2013, IWC Issue #171 (link)

  (La Spinetta/Giorgio Rivetti Barbaresco Vursu Vigneto Starderi) Subscribe to see review text.

• By Stephen Tanzer
  November/December 2007, IWC Issue #135 (link)

  (La Spinetta/Giorgio Rivetti Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi) Subscribe to see review text.

• By Antonio Galloni
  Piedmont Report (Oct 2007) (link)

  (La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  11/7/2008 (link)

  (STARDERI Barbaresco SPINETTA) Spinetta Dear Friends, To close out the week, the new Barbaresco series from La Spinetta - always controversial but I believe less so in recent years and especially in 2004 (the first vintage I can stand behind from top to bottom and one that may actually merit the asking price). There is no doubt that Rivetti has tamed his style (wisdom gained with age?) and the oak use is way down on the Barbaresco portfolio in 2004. He's always had stunning vineyard material to work with but a quercus obsession has led to wines that were simply too over-done. While these are still wines with an exotic side, they now show a true sense of reflective sensibility. That being said, the La Spinetta wines have a rabid following among consumers who appreciate a wild ride as much as a traditional one and this 2004 series will only add to that. Somehow, this winery has been able to uphold a sense of modernity in both liquid and graphic form while keeping the interest of many of the world's top collectors (that have classic and less showy examples as the base of their cellar). In some ways, this winery has been the Valendraud of Piedmont but I would say they are now closer to Tertre Roteboeuf - a notion that should get many of you excited. Whatever your predilection, these are exciting wines (from a top year) that will have strong appeal to a wide sect of our email list (even Tanzer gave them very high marks across the board which is a sign of their new cross-over appeal - Tanzer is a classicist at heart). This parcel is priced about the same as in Europe and less than half of what I've seen them in the market for. 2004 La Spinetta Barbaresco "Starderi" 2004 La Spinetta Barbaresco "Valeirano" (don't sell this short - it's not as obvious as the Starderi at present but watch out in 10 years...) 2004 La Spinetta Barbaresco "Gallina" (this wine is meant to be enjoyed over the next 6-10 years while you wait for the Starderi and Valeirano to mature) We also have a few of these... 2001 La Spinetta Barbaresco "Valeirano" Riserva 1.5lt Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy5610 Italy5620 Italy5630 Italy5640

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  11/5/2008 (link) 91 points

  (La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Starderi) Dark cherry red color; floral and dried cherry nose; dried cherry, mineral and charcoal palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (his best Barbaresco, as far as Giorgio Rivetti is concerned)

• By Richard Jennings
  4/12/2008 (link) 88 points

  (La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Starderi) Light medium cranberry red color; tangy, herbal, dried red fruit nose; tight, herbal, dried red fruit palate; medium-plus drying finish