1974 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 93.3 points

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  10/11/2022 - forceberry wrote:

  Bottle #13754 of total 14118 bottles. 14% alcohol.
  
  Pale, quite thin and very evolved tawny color with a brick-orange hue. The nose feels oxidative and quite aldehydic with aromas of raisins, some sweet caramel tones, a little bit of nutty rancio, light sweet notes of wizened dark berries and a hint of dried dates. With air the nose start to show even more madeirized and cooked elements. The wine feels old, tired and tertiary on the palate with a medium body and raisined flavors of dried dates and caramel, some nutty oxidative tones, a little bit of syrupy richness, light aldehydic notes of sorrel, a hint of hay and a touch of wizened cranberries. The wine still retains an impressive structure, thanks to its high acidity and somewhat grippy medium-plus tannins. The finish is long, dry and gently grippy with tertiary flavors of raisins and caramel, some aldehydic notes of sorrel and tangy salinity, light oxidative notes of beef jerky and chopped nuts, a hint of tart lingonberry and a touch of rye crispbread.
  
  Meh. This is already past its peak. The difference between this bottle and the vibrant 1978 Rabajà we had in the same flight couldn't have been bigger. The wine isn't completely in shambles yet, so it's still perfectly drinkable, but nevertheless a far cry from what these old Produttoris can be when they are in sound condition and doesn't really give much pleasure.

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  12/24/2021 - JEP007 wrote:

  As dead as a doornail :(

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  1/10/2019 - cct wrote: 95 Points

  Double decanted in the AM. Bottle had been upright for months.
  
  Beautiful mature nebbiolo perfume. There is some decaying leaves that adds complexity, yet this still is about perfume and fruit along with the mature notes. Cherry, tar, dried roses, and balsam. A mid weighted Rabaja. There is sap and breadth to the texture that adds a seemingly contrasting harmony with the underlying of iron and balsamic notes. The florals and inner mouth perfume give breadth and a softness to the underlying structure. There is force, yet grace here. Harmony and power coupled with balance and elegance. This has softened and while it has the depth of Rabaja, time has subdued its overt force. The acid balance is near about perfect for me. A harmonious wine drinking at peak for me and one of the best bottles I have had of this wine. At peak, at least this bottle, but I doubt it will improve. Terrific tonight.

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  12/1/2017 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:

  Has a bit of mushroom action bit with air all of the luscious black cherry things intensify. There's plenty of Indian spice and the wine's acid provides posture and cut. It is a wine that gains complexity and nuance with air and is still quite youthful.

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  9/9/2014 - LWI wrote: 92 Points

  Perfect maturity, very good bottle. Sweetness of fruit and fresh acidity, good balance between secondary and tertiary aromas, not overly complex.

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