Produttori Del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2021 (750ml)

 

Rated 96 Points by Kerin O'Keefe

 

2021 was an exceptional year in the Langhe as is clearly demonstrated by the gorgeous 2021 Barbaresco from Produttori.  It boasts beautiful aromas of violet, rose, cake spice and mint that carry over to the elegant palate along with succulent red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise.  Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it impeccably balanced.  Made from blending Nebbiolo from different vineyard sites, this is the firm’s classic Barbaresco and is one of the greatest values in Italian fine wine.  September 2024

 

Rated 95 Points by Wine Advocate

 

This wine gives us our first taste of the epic 2021 vintage from a producer as prolific as Produttori del Barbaresco.  Bottled in April 2024, this vintage shows the immense power and complexity that likens it to 2016, another year for collectors.  The 2021 Barbaresco offers medium-rich density that is transmitted both to the wine's appearance and its mouthfeel.  There is black fruit, spice and a touch of nutmeg.  However, the wine maintains its youthful tension and energy throughout.  The tannins are chalky, fine and void of any bitterness.  This is a classical expression of Nebbiolo that gives us good reason to be excited for the upcoming 2021 Barbaresco Riservas.  (ML) 95+ January 2025

 

Rated 94 Points by James Suckling

 

An intriguing wine with aromas of potpourri, dried cherries and candied orange zest.  Smoky and juicy on the palate, with firm, dusty yet ripe tannins, a full body and a long, savory finish.  Drinkable now, but it has great potential for the long haul.  November 2024

 

Rated 94 Points by Wine Spectator

 

A vibrant, well-defined red, offering rose, cherry, strawberry, white pepper and mineral flavors.  Sleek and elegant, this firms up on the linear finish.  Balanced and approachable now yet would benefit from a bit more time to knit together.  Excellent length.  (BS)  October 2025

 

Rated 93 Points by Vinous

 

The 2021 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, deep wine.  Although the aromatics are a bit closed, the 2021 shows gorgeous depth and a touch more palate presence than is typically the case for this bottling.  Dark and enveloping, the 2021 will offer a number of years of very fine drinking.  It is an impressive, classy wine from Produttori del Barbaresco.  (AG)  October 2024

 

Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG 2021

 

Made since 1958, it is the result of blending grapes from different vineyards in the area of origin.  It is the wine that has made the company's history, its flagship wine, synonymous with quality and typicality throughout the world.

 

Grape Variety:  100% Nebbiolo

 

Vineyards:  Various vineyards in within the Docg Zone

 

Vineyard Size:  Grapes selected from 120 hectares (290 acres) of estate owned vineyards

 

Vineyards Exposure:  South, West, East

 

Soil:  Limestone, rich in calcium with sandy veins

 

Vinification:  Stainless steel tanks, 28 days on the skins at 28°C (80°F).  Pumping over 2 - 3 times a day

 

Ageing:  20 Months in 50 hl oak casks

 

Bottling Date:  March 2024

 

Total Production:  Approximately320,000 bottles (26,000 cases)

 

Vintage:  Full body vintage, ripe red fruit and spicy flavours with a powerful finish

 

Longevity:  20 Years from the harvest

 

Vineyard Owners:  54 growers

 

Food Match:  Fresh egg pasta, meat dishes, particularly lamb and feathered game, mild cheeses

 

Vintage 2021

 

The two thousand and twenty-one vintage began with a mild winter, though plenty of rain and two snow storms ensured an excellent supply of water, which proved to be essential over the course of the rest of the season, mainly dry.

 

A mild month of March was followed by a cooler than average April and May, with limited rainfall and chilly nights and brisk mornings until the beginning of June.

 

Despite the cool Spring weather, the Nebbiolo variety, which is an early developer and therefore potentially more at risk, was not significantly affected and flowering and setting went on normally.  The crop load though, was not too high – an estimated 10% lower than in 2020 – reducing the need for green harvesting and giving a naturally balance yield in most of the vineyard sites.  June brought warmer weather and a couple of short rainstorms and was followed by a warm, but below average July.  Over all a nice summer, dry, but never too hot.  An intense rainstorm came on August 2nd, with limited, localized hail damage.  The middle of August, second and third week, was the hottest time of the year when the maximum temperatures were close to 35°C/95°F.  First half of September remained warm while the second half brought the cooler nights so important for a proper Nebbiolo maturation.

 

The harvesting of Nebbiolo began on October 6th and it was over in Barbaresco by October 18th.  The grapes were healthy, with optimal phenological maturity facilitated by the intense day-night temperature variations.  In terms of quantity, crop loads were optimal and well-balanced, with visibly smaller berries than last year.  These factors resulted in a strong polyphenolic content, essential to produce wines of structure and balance intended for lengthy ageing.

 

In conclusion, we can say that remarkable results have been achieved in terms of the quality of the grapes, which will produce excellent Barbaresco wines with intense aromatic complexity.

 

 

Produttori Del Barbaresco

 

     Producer Profile

 

Region:  Piemonte

 

Winemaker:  Gianni Testa

 

Total acreage of vine:  250 Acres

 

Winery Production:  500,000 bottles

 

Estate owned by:  Co-operative with 52 members

 

Founded in 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco.  From its humble beginnings making the first three vintages in the church basement, Produttori del Barbaresco has grown to a 52 member co-operative with 250 acres of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation and an annual production of over 500,000 bottles.  Its vineyards amount to almost 1/6 of the vineyards of the area.  Each member is in full control of their land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with the skill and dedication they have honed over generations.

Playing a key role in elevating the quality level of Barbaresco over the years, Produttori del Barbaresco produces a simpler Nebbiolo Langhe, a Barbaresco blend and nine single vineyard wines produced in premier vineyards:  Asili, Rabajà, Pora, Montestefano, Ovello, Pajè, Montefico, Muncagota and Rio Sordo.

 

 

Rated 94 Points by Wine Spectator

 

A vibrant, well-defined red, offering rose, cherry, strawberry, white pepper and mineral flavors.  Sleek and elegant, this firms up on the linear finish.  Balanced and approachable now yet would benefit from a bit more time to knit together.  Excellent length.  (BS)  October 2025