Produttori del Barbaresco 2013

Description

“It finally happened—the world has awakened to one of its greatest wine treasures, the Produttori del Barbaresco. Since 1958, the Produttori has been the reference point for classic Barbaresco. And since their launching in 1967, the Produttori’s Riservas have been the defining expressions of Rabajà, Asili, Ovello and Barbaresco’s other noble vineyards.

The Produttori was founded in the crushing poverty of the 1950s, when the parish priest organized 19 struggling growers to make wine communally. With time, the Produttori grew to about sixty members—owning the lion’s share of the greatest vineyards. Even today, many of Barbaresco’s best growers are members, occupying the greatest sites and pooling their fruit. In lesser years, only one wine is made, but in great vintages, up to ten magical Barbarescos can be made: the often astonishing flagship Barbaresco plus nine single-cru Riservas. The Produttori still uses traditional methods: an 18 to 21-day primary fermentation with aging for up to three years in botti. Such techniques yield gloriously transparent wines, affording a unique opportunity to explore the region’s finest terroirs.

Though one of Piedmont’s greatest producers, the Produttori has long lived in the shadow of more famous names like Giacosa and Gaja. It was not until recently, thanks to the outspoken advocacy of critics like Antonio Galloni and John Gilman that the Produttori is getting the attention it deserves …

The Produttori’s nine crus or vineyards lie on steep slopes composed of the classic firm clay and limestone marl of the Langhe. Those from the northernmost chain of hills—Ovello, Montefico and Montestefano–have a higher clay content and are known for their rich earthy, meaty flavors, full body and firm structure. To the south are Pajé and Moccagatta, noted for their intensity and elegance. Still further south is perhaps Barbaresco’s greatest slope, boasting the southfacing Asili, Rabajà and Pora. Below these three icons is the solitary southwest-facing slope of Rio Sordo, whose opulent Barbaresco exudes aromas of black cherry and truffle.

In each vintage, the juice from these crus is blended to produce a single Barbaresco which is one of the great wine values not only of Italy, but the world. But in great years, part of the production of each vineyard is set aside for an additional year of aging and for separate bottling as a single-vineyard Riserva. When these Riservas are made, they constitute the quintessential examples of Barbaresco’s greatest terroirs.”  From Importer, The Rare Wine Co.

“All of the wines are deeply expressive with regards to site and vintage. In other words, it doesn’t get much better than this…. Under the direction of Managing Director Aldo Vacca, the Produttori are making some of the most distinguished wines in their history.“ Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Oct 2017)

2013 was an excellent growing season in Piedmont so this will be a treat.

95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “There’s a smell that I call ‘liquorice root’, which is a real smell, and it’s not the black sweet stuff, it’s the brown stick-like stuff that you can find if you look about, anyway, it’s one of my signatures for great Nebbiolo. Works like a pheromone on me, or something like that. This has it in spades, along with red and black fruits, a little tea and herb, roses and spice. It’s only medium bodied, and very precise and clear in its delivery – it fairly sparkles with purity – then a gentle rasp of kitten’s tongue tannin, fresh acidity, and a pretty long finish, a little dusting of spice as it delivers its magic. It goes well with a decant, but it’ll stay decades in the cellar. Yes.”  

90 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media “The 2013 is a tasty, easygoing Barbaresco to drink over the next decade or more. There is good depth in the glass, with pretty notes of tobacco, licorice, herb and worn-in leather that add nuance. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate and a closing burst of acidity meld into the finish. The tannins are present, but they are also pretty much buried by the creaminess of the fruit. A lovely impeccably balanced, understated wine that offers considerable regional and varietal expression. In other words: textbook. The Produttori’s Barbaresco has a track record of aging well, but the 2013 is also surprisingly accessible. It should drink well with minimal cellaring. Drink 2018-2033” October 2016

Our Special Price $109.99  – VERY LIMITED!