The dark and earthy 2006 Barbaresco Rabaja opens slowly, wafting up with notes of tobacco that gives way to animal musk, balsam herbs, black cherry and hints of brown sugar. Its textures are soft, motivated by nervous acidity, as tart red berries and hints of sour citrus saturate beneath rosy inner florals. Adolescent tannins are left to linger, pinching at the cheeks with youthful poise, and reminding me that this sixteen year-old Barbaresco is still climbing its way to maturity. There's a sultry rusticity here that keeps me coming back to the glass over and over again, but the fact remains that the 2006 still needs time.
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Pre X Mas wine opening :) well well well... again this at a perfect spot, but needs much More time to open up... great nose of bramble and cinnamon, hint of smoke, perfectly balanced on the palate, with a juicyness and tannins stil pores et in the mid palate, absolutely magnificent at this moment... which is day 2... still. Tremendous time ahead of it... wish I had saved a dozen of those by that time... nice finish with just the perfect arm the after a day in the snow and backcountry skiing... love it again, and again...
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The easiest 92 pointer wine so far from the latest tastings, as the wine opened and not decantered showed swiftly nice and powerful aromas of flowers, pot pourri, balsamic and menthol, when the palate was bright, distinguished with no alcohol, it really gets better from year to year, so classic, and yet very vibrant, tannins starts to show a bit along the opening of the wine, but the drinkability and the refreshing feeling as much as the mouth filling texture are all there, probably one of the best Piemonte recently, and some of the best value still in that area... great cru, great producer and great everything... One last thing, the average mark here is non sense as everyone puts more than 90, up to 94... probably some pro ratings that does not help...anyways, if you have some in cellar, keep it but have it now and then, slowly reaching its drinking window... damned that was a nice post lock down wine with the mates !!!
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Zoom blind tasting #3: Guiseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja vertical (At home): This was very enjoyable. Its nose was marked with dried earth and chalky mineral on first sniff, leading the way into a nice blush of rose petals and smoky tar, maybe a hint of herby bramble and menthol, and then a nice core of sweet cherry and raspberry notes wreathed in a little curl of fragrant spice. A really, really nice bouquet. it was really attractive on the palate too. Not the most complex at this stage of its development, but it was lithe and light on its feet, with a vibrant crunch of fresh cherries and red berries on the attack, roses on the mid palate, and then a slightly more mineral, and really quite wonderfully spiced finish. A bit on the light side, and still very youthful, with plenty of teeth-coating Nebbiolo tannins showing from start to end, but this was a delightful little tipple. Would be a lovely food wine too - especially with some game meat, like pigeon or wild fowl. I really liked this - while maybe not one for the ages, it should develop nicely over the next decade or so.
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Scent of woodland. The tannins had been delicately rounded off, and the fruit came through, With cherries and a hint of rasberry. Very nice wine paired With grilled meat.
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Absolutely singing in April 2019. Bright, ripe, complex and lively. A little more cherry than Violet but otherwise a great example of good Barbaresco. This has lost anu stewed character or heat and is just really good.
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Opened and had a quick glass on Friday, but re-corked and enjoyed over the course of Saturday evening. This is showing very well at the moment. There is a mouthfull of cherry fruit with savory notes, red licorice and nice acidity, the tannins are smoothing out and this is very enjoyable. There is still plenty of structure here, but the sidelines are smooth. I can see the fruit beginning to recede in the next few years. With grilled steaks, in the Berkshires with H.
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Compared to the recent Barolo of Rinaldi, that wine is showing a lot more, as expected from an older guy like that one. Nose is explosive, dried roses, balsamic, hints of that nice nebbiolo oxydation, Menthol and eucalypt after a long opening. Really a fantastic nose, complex and powerfull ! The palate is still very young, big tannins, and high acidity, this is why I don’t rate it higher, as I don’t really know how it is going to improve ? salty finish, long and a bit of alcohol. But still a great bottle, hopefully there is a lot remaining. That wine and that producer are top notch
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The nose was highly aromatic, lifting from the glass with dark and earthy notes of fall leaves and undergrowth, offset by ripe black cherry, balsamic spice, brown sugar, dusty dried roses and an orange citrus twang. On the palate, I found soft textures contrasting brisk acidity on a feminine frame, showing sweet and sour cherry, savory herbs, and dried citrus, as rosy inner florals developed amidst fine youthful tannin. The finish was medium-long and still structured, with dried red fruits, hints of cedar, minerals, and lingering florals.
The '06 Rabaja is in fine form tonight, giving most of it's pleasures on the bouquet, and on the verge of its early drinking window. After six hours of slow-o, the bouquet gained hints of wood smoke and sweet tobacco with added depth and earthiness on the palate.
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Took about 90 minutes to open up. Hot alcohol on the nose, but also cedar, spices and hints of sweet tobacco. Hints of blackberries. The pallet is not hot and the wine is still well integrated and dark. Big tannins. Eucalyptus and black fruit. It isn't jammy, just full bodied. Medium length finish. This bottle wasn't bricked at all. Drinking very well in October 2018.
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A traditionalist Barbaresco by all accounts: made from old-vineyard Nebbiolo located in the Rabajà cru. Fermented and macerated in stainless steel over a period of 3-4 weeks. Aged in old (5-20 years old) Slavonian oak casks (1700-2600 liters) for 22 months and for a further year in bottles before release. 14% alcohol.
Somewhat developed and quite translucent pomegranate color with a hint of mature mahogany hue. Very rich, intense and a bit developed nose with opulent aromas of ripe black cherries, some wizened dark berries, a little bit of lifted, sweet VA and a touch of plummy dark fruit. The wine is surprisingly light-bodied for a) Giuseppe Cortese Rabajà, b) a 2006 Barbaresco, being quite lithe and medium-bodied instead of rather big and full-bodied, but the flavor department is 2006 at its best: dense, concentrated and powerful flavors of sour cherry bitterness, savory dark berries, sunny dark fruit, some dried flowers, a little bit of tar and a hint of salt-cured beef. The wine is very tightly-knit, textural and firm with exceptionally high acidity and still very firm and grippy tannins that are yet to resolve an inch. However, the most aggressive energy of youth has left the wine and it starts to feel somewhat relaxed and mellow - despite the firm, unyielding structure. The finish is quite warm and very tannic with opulent flavors of sour cherries, pipe tobacco, some fresh dark berries, a little bit of leather and a hint of tar and smoke.
A stunning powerhouse of a Barbaresco. In a tasting of Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2013-2004, this was probably the lightest in body, but also remarkably youthful and almost backward in style - apparently a wine this high in tannins and acidity seems to evolve at a glacial pace. The wine is still miles away from its plateau of maturity and it's a push to say it would be drinking nicely now - even at 11 years of age the wine seems to be more about future potential than immdiate enjoyment. A stunning and remarkably well-made Barbaresco that is enormously good now, but still a mere youngster - will get only better for the next decade or three. Very highly recommended.
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Drinking awesomely in November 2017. Rich cherry fruits, balanced acidity and medium tannins. The wine is lively with a great balance of juicy sweet fruit and acidic tartness. I've been underwhelmed in the past but think this is coming into its window.
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Opened a.m. but not decanted, and for the first half hour or so it didn't taste like nebbiolo, but finally opened up in the glass. Overall heavier in style than I like -- very ripe and dense -- but still with good structure. Went well with duck ragu and pappardelle. Drink or hold; no rush, based on this bottle.
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From magnum bottle. Wild cherries and raspberry, leather, roses. Dry dusty mouthfeel, strong acidity and soft tannins. Fully mature, doubt this will improve further.
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Brick red center with orange highlights; light aromas and flavors of dark fruit, ripe cherries, figs, and some tobacco; balanced, rounded, very dry, smooth, integrated, clean rich flavors; long dry finish.
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Weinprobe 3. Flight: B Rocca vs G Cortese Barbaresco: - Rocca etwas dunkler und im Ganzen leichter zugänglich. Holz mittlerweile schön integriert. Runder Wein - Cortese deutlich traditioneller, mehr Tannine, mehr Säure. Aber auch rund und schön. Für mich der klare Sieger - aber reine Geschmackssache, beides tolle Weine
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Wonderful aroma already when pulling the cork, hints of almond. Colour is towards the brick-end of the scale. Taste is big and balanced. The best part is the enormously long aftertaste that evolves and develops in the mouth well beyond what is standard. Probably in a very good drinking window right now.
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Cortese B. Rabaja 2006 vs Castello di Neive S Stefano 2007: - Geöffnet und direkt probiert - Farbe: Cortese etwas konzentrierter, beide noch rot, eher bläulich - Castello di Neive sehr anstrengend zu trinken - starke Säure (sauer!) und noch wenig integrierte Tannine, die aber nicht stark sind. Könnte ein schöner klassischer Nebbiolo werden, ist aber dann noch viel zu jung - morgen nochmal probieren - Cortese deutlich zugänglicher - könnte der Barrique Ausbau sein. Runder, balancierter, ohne dass das Holz zu stark ist. Schöner Wein und heute für mich der Sieger
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I agree with Kevin. This is drinking very nicely and is a steal at the PA clearance price of $25. Grab it if you can. Needs a good 90 mins in the decanter, then shows a nice nose of earth, tobacco and spice. More oak alongside berries on the palate, with still firm tannins. Long finish. Best with food. Drinking quite well now but I would think it'll continue to evolve nicely for at least 3-5 more years.
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Highly underrated wine. Red fruits, light strawberry, raspberry and maraschino cherry. Medium acid and med-high tannins. I picked this up for $25 and it tastes well beyond that price range. Is drinking great now. I will buy a few more at that price.
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3rd and last bottle. And for the first time I regret, that I did not keep it longer. Earlier bottles were rather lightweighted. But this one is really fiiling your mouth. And still in the fruity stage of life plus a lot of tannins. It is an elegant wine. I need to apologize to earlier bottles and tasting notes. And try to buy again when back in Piemont at their beautiful B&B!
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Piedmont 2013, Day 3 - Visit to Giuseppe Cortese (Rabajà, Babaresco, Piedmont, Italy): This was an excellent Barbaresco. Like the 2010, it had a wonderful nose. There was more pronounced meatiness to this, along with a twist a smoky spice, and then lots of luscious scents of dark cherries with some deep-set floral accents - really nice. The palate too was rounder and riper, more developed and fleshed out than the 2010, but it was every bit as pure and fresh, with absolutely focused, defined notes of cherries and red berries underlined by loads of spice and mineral. Elegant and lacy above, firm and lithely muscled below with a real layer of fine tannins, this was a wine of energy and presence that will age effortlessly for a long, long time. Great finish too, with a really nice a linger of spice just before a bite of fine tannins set in. Very good indeed. Approachable now, but here is another wine that I would love to drink in say 10-15 years' time.
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Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Verticals (Sydney, Australia): Beautiful and expressive aromatics - floral and perfumed with cherry, raspberry and some earth. Lovely carry on the palate with depth and good intensity, as well as the potential to improve from here. This really impressed me.
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This wine needs a little air. Shocker for a Nebbiolo, right? Initial impressions will be a yawn. But after an hour or so it opens into a very pretty and delicious wine. Glycerine, cranberry, raspberry, mulling spices, and grippy tannins make for a great food wine here. Enjoy!
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Similar impression as previous bottle, though perhaps not as open. Again, cork heavily stained 2/3 of the way up, but a sound bottle nevertheless. Not decanted, but slow ox'ed for about 3 hours. Nice balance - would buy again.
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Cork was protruding 3-4mm above the rim of the bottle - importer contacted the winery and they replied that a number of 2006 bottles had this issue due to hard corks, but that the wine would be fine. The cork was stained half way up, but wine was unaffected. An elegant Barbaresco with red and black fruit, licorice, rose and perhaps a hint of leather. Acids are ample, but soft, and there is not shortage of tannin. The wine starts with a hint of fruit sweetness, is light but moderately concentrated on the palate and finishes with savoury nuances and powdery tannins. For my taste this can be enjoyed now, but I imagine it will be better in 5-10 years when tannins have resolved a little more. Lovely stuff.
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While still having some 2005 in my cellar I decided to "look" at the 2006. This is very approachable now, despite some obvious tannins. Maybe even a bit lighter than the 2005, more smell of dark berries, but also less advanced in terms of aging. But I would not risk to let it age much more, without checking every 6 months or so.
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3/22/2022 - Eric Guido Likes this wine:
The dark and earthy 2006 Barbaresco Rabaja opens slowly, wafting up with notes of tobacco that gives way to animal musk, balsam herbs, black cherry and hints of brown sugar. Its textures are soft, motivated by nervous acidity, as tart red berries and hints of sour citrus saturate beneath rosy inner florals. Adolescent tannins are left to linger, pinching at the cheeks with youthful poise, and reminding me that this sixteen year-old Barbaresco is still climbing its way to maturity. There's a sultry rusticity here that keeps me coming back to the glass over and over again, but the fact remains that the 2006 still needs time.
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2/26/2022 - dked2407 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Très typique, anisé, délicat, robe tuilée et arômes profonds et marqués.
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12/13/2020 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pre X Mas wine opening :) well well well... again this at a perfect spot, but needs much More time to open up... great nose of bramble and cinnamon, hint of smoke, perfectly balanced on the palate, with a juicyness and tannins stil pores et in the mid palate, absolutely magnificent at this moment... which is day 2... still. Tremendous time ahead of it... wish I had saved a dozen of those by that time... nice finish with just the perfect arm the after a day in the snow and backcountry skiing... love it again, and again...
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5/30/2020 - dked2407 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Apogée, très typique.
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5/16/2020 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cellaraid - Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Vertical; 5/15/2020-5/24/2020 (Delivered to Home): Pale garnet core and fading brownish edges. Aromas of rose, cherry, paprika, rosemary. Lots of acid and structure, and has even a rosy, lemon zesty feel, along with tomato, cherry, and mixed herbs. Roses and cherries remain at the back, with a fair finish
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5/13/2020 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 92 Points
The easiest 92 pointer wine so far from the latest tastings, as the wine opened and not decantered showed swiftly nice and powerful aromas of flowers, pot pourri, balsamic and menthol, when the palate was bright, distinguished with no alcohol, it really gets better from year to year, so classic, and yet very vibrant, tannins starts to show a bit along the opening of the wine, but the drinkability and the refreshing feeling as much as the mouth filling texture are all there, probably one of the best Piemonte recently, and some of the best value still in that area... great cru, great producer and great everything... One last thing, the average mark here is non sense as everyone puts more than 90, up to 94... probably some pro ratings that does not help...anyways, if you have some in cellar, keep it but have it now and then, slowly reaching its drinking window... damned that was a nice post lock down wine with the mates !!!
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5/10/2020 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points
Zoom blind tasting #3: Guiseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja vertical (At home): This was very enjoyable. Its nose was marked with dried earth and chalky mineral on first sniff, leading the way into a nice blush of rose petals and smoky tar, maybe a hint of herby bramble and menthol, and then a nice core of sweet cherry and raspberry notes wreathed in a little curl of fragrant spice. A really, really nice bouquet. it was really attractive on the palate too. Not the most complex at this stage of its development, but it was lithe and light on its feet, with a vibrant crunch of fresh cherries and red berries on the attack, roses on the mid palate, and then a slightly more mineral, and really quite wonderfully spiced finish. A bit on the light side, and still very youthful, with plenty of teeth-coating Nebbiolo tannins showing from start to end, but this was a delightful little tipple. Would be a lovely food wine too - especially with some game meat, like pigeon or wild fowl. I really liked this - while maybe not one for the ages, it should develop nicely over the next decade or so.
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4/10/2020 - winebonanza1 wrote: 92 Points
Scent of woodland. The tannins had been delicately rounded off, and the fruit came through, With cherries and a hint of rasberry. Very nice wine paired With grilled meat.
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4/14/2019 - vinorsk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Absolutely singing in April 2019. Bright, ripe, complex and lively. A little more cherry than Violet but otherwise a great example of good Barbaresco. This has lost anu stewed character or heat and is just really good.
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3/16/2019 - Pknut wrote:
Opened and had a quick glass on Friday, but re-corked and enjoyed over the course of Saturday evening. This is showing very well at the moment. There is a mouthfull of cherry fruit with savory notes, red licorice and nice acidity, the tannins are smoothing out and this is very enjoyable. There is still plenty of structure here, but the sidelines are smooth. I can see the fruit beginning to recede in the next few years. With grilled steaks, in the Berkshires with H.
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3/4/2019 - Stanrocks Likes this wine: 92 Points
Compared to the recent Barolo of Rinaldi, that wine is showing a lot more, as expected from an older guy like that one. Nose is explosive, dried roses, balsamic, hints of that nice nebbiolo oxydation, Menthol and eucalypt after a long opening. Really a fantastic nose, complex and powerfull ! The palate is still very young, big tannins, and high acidity, this is why I don’t rate it higher, as I don’t really know how it is going to improve ? salty finish, long and a bit of alcohol. But still a great bottle, hopefully there is a lot remaining. That wine and that producer are top notch
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12/24/2018 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was highly aromatic, lifting from the glass with dark and earthy notes of fall leaves and undergrowth, offset by ripe black cherry, balsamic spice, brown sugar, dusty dried roses and an orange citrus twang. On the palate, I found soft textures contrasting brisk acidity on a feminine frame, showing sweet and sour cherry, savory herbs, and dried citrus, as rosy inner florals developed amidst fine youthful tannin. The finish was medium-long and still structured, with dried red fruits, hints of cedar, minerals, and lingering florals.
The '06 Rabaja is in fine form tonight, giving most of it's pleasures on the bouquet, and on the verge of its early drinking window. After six hours of slow-o, the bouquet gained hints of wood smoke and sweet tobacco with added depth and earthiness on the palate.
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10/20/2018 - vinorsk Likes this wine:
Took about 90 minutes to open up. Hot alcohol on the nose, but also cedar, spices and hints of sweet tobacco. Hints of blackberries. The pallet is not hot and the wine is still well integrated and dark. Big tannins. Eucalyptus and black fruit. It isn't jammy, just full bodied. Medium length finish. This bottle wasn't bricked at all. Drinking very well in October 2018.
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9/4/2018 - vinorsk wrote:
Drank with smoked duck - perfect pairing Right acidity, tannins and stewed cherries for the meal. Pale rim and slight bricked appearance.
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12/17/2017 - Gian wrote: 91 Points
Light red color, after two hours of air , round , savory , smooth tannins, small red fruits, spicies, very complex and long lasting
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12/12/2017 - forceberry wrote: 94 Points
A traditionalist Barbaresco by all accounts: made from old-vineyard Nebbiolo located in the Rabajà cru. Fermented and macerated in stainless steel over a period of 3-4 weeks. Aged in old (5-20 years old) Slavonian oak casks (1700-2600 liters) for 22 months and for a further year in bottles before release. 14% alcohol.
Somewhat developed and quite translucent pomegranate color with a hint of mature mahogany hue. Very rich, intense and a bit developed nose with opulent aromas of ripe black cherries, some wizened dark berries, a little bit of lifted, sweet VA and a touch of plummy dark fruit. The wine is surprisingly light-bodied for a) Giuseppe Cortese Rabajà, b) a 2006 Barbaresco, being quite lithe and medium-bodied instead of rather big and full-bodied, but the flavor department is 2006 at its best: dense, concentrated and powerful flavors of sour cherry bitterness, savory dark berries, sunny dark fruit, some dried flowers, a little bit of tar and a hint of salt-cured beef. The wine is very tightly-knit, textural and firm with exceptionally high acidity and still very firm and grippy tannins that are yet to resolve an inch. However, the most aggressive energy of youth has left the wine and it starts to feel somewhat relaxed and mellow - despite the firm, unyielding structure. The finish is quite warm and very tannic with opulent flavors of sour cherries, pipe tobacco, some fresh dark berries, a little bit of leather and a hint of tar and smoke.
A stunning powerhouse of a Barbaresco. In a tasting of Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2013-2004, this was probably the lightest in body, but also remarkably youthful and almost backward in style - apparently a wine this high in tannins and acidity seems to evolve at a glacial pace. The wine is still miles away from its plateau of maturity and it's a push to say it would be drinking nicely now - even at 11 years of age the wine seems to be more about future potential than immdiate enjoyment. A stunning and remarkably well-made Barbaresco that is enormously good now, but still a mere youngster - will get only better for the next decade or three. Very highly recommended.
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11/6/2017 - vinorsk Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking awesomely in November 2017. Rich cherry fruits, balanced acidity and medium tannins. The wine is lively with a great balance of juicy sweet fruit and acidic tartness. I've been underwhelmed in the past but think this is coming into its window.
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5/21/2017 - ctbob Likes this wine:
Opened a.m. but not decanted, and for the first half hour or so it didn't taste like nebbiolo, but finally opened up in the glass. Overall heavier in style than I like -- very ripe and dense -- but still with good structure. Went well with duck ragu and pappardelle. Drink or hold; no rush, based on this bottle.
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2/20/2017 - Markus IWC wrote: 87 Points
From magnum bottle. Wild cherries and raspberry, leather, roses. Dry dusty mouthfeel, strong acidity and soft tannins. Fully mature, doubt this will improve further.
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7/5/2016 - CieloVista wrote: 91 Points
Brick red center with orange highlights; light aromas and flavors of dark fruit, ripe cherries, figs, and some tobacco; balanced, rounded, very dry, smooth, integrated, clean rich flavors; long dry finish.
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9/27/2015 - s******n Likes this wine: 91 Points
Weinprobe 3. Flight: B Rocca vs G Cortese Barbaresco:
- Rocca etwas dunkler und im Ganzen leichter zugänglich. Holz mittlerweile schön integriert. Runder Wein
- Cortese deutlich traditioneller, mehr Tannine, mehr Säure. Aber auch rund und schön. Für mich der klare Sieger - aber reine Geschmackssache, beides tolle Weine
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7/10/2015 - pswe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful aroma already when pulling the cork, hints of almond. Colour is towards the brick-end of the scale. Taste is big and balanced. The best part is the enormously long aftertaste that evolves and develops in the mouth well beyond what is standard. Probably in a very good drinking window right now.
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5/20/2015 - s******n Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cortese B. Rabaja 2006 vs Castello di Neive S Stefano 2007:
- Geöffnet und direkt probiert
- Farbe: Cortese etwas konzentrierter, beide noch rot, eher bläulich
- Castello di Neive sehr anstrengend zu trinken - starke Säure (sauer!) und noch wenig integrierte Tannine, die aber nicht stark sind. Könnte ein schöner klassischer Nebbiolo werden, ist aber dann noch viel zu jung - morgen nochmal probieren
- Cortese deutlich zugänglicher - könnte der Barrique Ausbau sein. Runder, balancierter, ohne dass das Holz zu stark ist. Schöner Wein und heute für mich der Sieger
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11/16/2014 - CieloVista wrote: 89 Points
Ruby red with aromas and flavors of red fruit, raspberries and cherries. It was medium bodied, dry and well rounded. The finish was long and clean.
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5/19/2014 - lifeattable Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consistent notes, bumped it up a point. This may continue to evolve but it is drinking beautifully right now, especially after a few hours of air.
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4/5/2014 - lifeattable Likes this wine: 92 Points
I agree with Kevin. This is drinking very nicely and is a steal at the PA clearance price of $25. Grab it if you can. Needs a good 90 mins in the decanter, then shows a nice nose of earth, tobacco and spice. More oak alongside berries on the palate, with still firm tannins. Long finish. Best with food. Drinking quite well now but I would think it'll continue to evolve nicely for at least 3-5 more years.
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3/17/2014 - kevin23610 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Highly underrated wine. Red fruits, light strawberry, raspberry and maraschino cherry. Medium acid and med-high tannins. I picked this up for $25 and it tastes well beyond that price range. Is drinking great now. I will buy a few more at that price.
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1/12/2014 - rlu wrote:
3rd and last bottle. And for the first time I regret, that I did not keep it longer. Earlier bottles were rather lightweighted. But this one is really fiiling your mouth. And still in the fruity stage of life plus a lot of tannins. It is an elegant wine. I need to apologize to earlier bottles and tasting notes. And try to buy again when back in Piemont at their beautiful B&B!
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9/5/2013 - pncboy85 Does not like this wine:
Very thin and unimpressive. Ruined my meal. Through out what was left
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6/19/2013 - Paul S wrote: 93 Points
Piedmont 2013, Day 3 - Visit to Giuseppe Cortese (Rabajà, Babaresco, Piedmont, Italy): This was an excellent Barbaresco. Like the 2010, it had a wonderful nose. There was more pronounced meatiness to this, along with a twist a smoky spice, and then lots of luscious scents of dark cherries with some deep-set floral accents - really nice. The palate too was rounder and riper, more developed and fleshed out than the 2010, but it was every bit as pure and fresh, with absolutely focused, defined notes of cherries and red berries underlined by loads of spice and mineral. Elegant and lacy above, firm and lithely muscled below with a real layer of fine tannins, this was a wine of energy and presence that will age effortlessly for a long, long time. Great finish too, with a really nice a linger of spice just before a bite of fine tannins set in. Very good indeed. Approachable now, but here is another wine that I would love to drink in say 10-15 years' time.
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6/2/2013 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
Great value from an enoteca on our Piemonte trip. Great traditional Barbaresco. Wish I could purchase here for the same price...
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2/16/2013 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Verticals (Sydney, Australia): Beautiful and expressive aromatics - floral and perfumed with cherry, raspberry and some earth. Lovely carry on the palate with depth and good intensity, as well as the potential to improve from here. This really impressed me.
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12/14/2012 - discoverwine Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine needs a little air. Shocker for a Nebbiolo, right? Initial impressions will be a yawn. But after an hour or so it opens into a very pretty and delicious wine. Glycerine, cranberry, raspberry, mulling spices, and grippy tannins make for a great food wine here. Enjoy!
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10/17/2012 - JonathanP wrote: 90 Points
Similar impression as previous bottle, though perhaps not as open. Again, cork heavily stained 2/3 of the way up, but a sound bottle nevertheless. Not decanted, but slow ox'ed for about 3 hours. Nice balance - would buy again.
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7/12/2012 - JonathanP wrote: 91 Points
Cork was protruding 3-4mm above the rim of the bottle - importer contacted the winery and they replied that a number of 2006 bottles had this issue due to hard corks, but that the wine would be fine. The cork was stained half way up, but wine was unaffected. An elegant Barbaresco with red and black fruit, licorice, rose and perhaps a hint of leather. Acids are ample, but soft, and there is not shortage of tannin. The wine starts with a hint of fruit sweetness, is light but moderately concentrated on the palate and finishes with savoury nuances and powdery tannins. For my taste this can be enjoyed now, but I imagine it will be better in 5-10 years when tannins have resolved a little more. Lovely stuff.
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6/1/2012 - Aschi wrote: 89 Points
While still having some 2005 in my cellar I decided to "look" at the 2006. This is very approachable now, despite some obvious tannins. Maybe even a bit lighter than the 2005, more smell of dark berries, but also less advanced in terms of aging. But I would not risk to let it age much more, without checking every 6 months or so.
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