Produttori del Barbaresco Horizontal 2020 | Incredibly Rare

97 points | 95 points Monica Larner I always find the Asili to be most fragrant of the Produttori single-vineyard Riservas and the stunning 2020 doesn’t disappoint, of...

97 points | 95 points Monica Larner I always find the Asili to be most fragrant of the Produttori single-vineyard Riservas and the stunning 2020 doesn’t disappoint, offering alluring aromas of dog rose, eucalyptus, new leather, forest floor and woodland berry along with a whiff of sun-warmed hay. Loaded with finesse, the elegant palate also boasts great structure, delivering juicy Morello cherry, raspberry, blood orange, star anise and a hint of truffle alongside tightly woven, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Drink 2026–2032. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

96+Monica Larner Two standouts from the 2020 vintage are Montefico and Asili. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico comes from a site that is...

96+Monica Larner Two standouts from the 2020 vintage are Montefico and Asili. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico comes from a site that is distant from the warm air that travels through the Tanaro River Valley and is closed within an amphitheater. This is a beautiful vineyard that looks toward the village of Neive and has active limestone soils. The wine is especially compact in texture and has a distinctly herbal note, with dried rosemary and lavender, that gives it a Mediterranean or botanical feel. The palate delivers a brief moment of softness, but otherwise the wine is structured and rich. Drink 2026-2050. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

97 points | Antonio Galloni The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the most elegant, polished wines in this range. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, sp...

97 points | Antonio Galloni The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the most elegant, polished wines in this range. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and cedar are beautifully lifted. The tannins are remarkably polished for a young, recently bottled Riserva. I admire its poise and elegance. This is an especially refined edition of the Montestefano. In 2020, the mix of vineyards is a bit younger than in the past, as one of the blocks of older vineyards was replanted and not used. If I could have only one of the Riservas in 2020, this would be it! Drink 2025-2035. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

94 points | Monica Larner The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is quite powerful and ample but not fully integrated as of yet. This vineyard...

94 points | Monica Larner The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is quite powerful and ample but not fully integrated as of yet. This vineyard site is located in a warm growing area, and you do feel the heat of the vintage in terms of the ripeness of the bouquet and the softness of the tannins. This wine paints with broad brush strokes, offering blackberry, plum and spice. It needs another year or two to find better focus. Drink 2026-2048 Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

95 points | Antonio Galloni The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a massive, packed wine. Graphite, crushed rocks, dried herbs and cedar open first. Ovello tends to pr...

95 points | Antonio Galloni The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a massive, packed wine. Graphite, crushed rocks, dried herbs and cedar open first. Ovello tends to produce a more linear style of Barbaresco, and that is very much the case here as well. However, the 2020 also possesses notable depth and layers in the mid-palate. It's a gorgeous wine in the making. Drink 2025-2035. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

95 points | Antonio Galloni The Pajè vineyard faces the Tanaro River and is tucked at back of a narrow theater of vines. The site is often characterized by a floral no...

95 points | Antonio Galloni The Pajè vineyard faces the Tanaro River and is tucked at back of a narrow theater of vines. The site is often characterized by a floral note of rose and violet that comes thought nicely in the Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè. With those sweet floral notes comes an open-knit mouthfeel and a more immediate drinking style with soft, silky tannins. In fact, this was the second of nine wines served in a flight that started with the lightest Riservas and ended with the most powerful wines. Drink 2025-2045 Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

93 points | Monica Garner This is the first wine served in a flight of nine that increase in intensity and power moving forward. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Bar...

93 points | Monica Garner This is the first wine served in a flight of nine that increase in intensity and power moving forward. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Pora opens to a medium-light color with garnet highlights. Aromas include wild cherry, cassis and blue flower. You also get hints of crushed limestone. The Pora vineyard is near the Tanaro River Valley, where warm air accumulates, and the vines are planted in fertile soils. The extra heat and humidity of the area makes for accessible wines that are ready to drink and are less complex overall. Drink 2025-2045 Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

97 points | Antonio Galloni 95 points | Monica Garner In this vintage, the Rabajà was served last in a series of nine Riservas; that's because it shows the most struct...

97 points | Antonio Galloni 95 points | Monica Garner In this vintage, the Rabajà was served last in a series of nine Riservas; that's because it shows the most structure and power over a very defined and sharp mouthfeel. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is streamlined and tight and a wine of enormous energy. The fruit is crunchy and tight with cassis and blackberry. A pretty mineral note defines Rabajà, giving it a chalky or powdery sensations on the close. Drink 2026-2050. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

96 points | Kerin O Keefe 94 points | Monica Garner The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo comes from an area that is further removed from the...

96 points | Kerin O Keefe 94 points | Monica Garner The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo comes from an area that is further removed from the Tanaro River and has southwestern exposures. It shows a typical profile for Nebbiolo with rich fruit, a velvety mouthfeel and textural volume that is delivered with ample blackberry, blackcurrant and spice. The character of this wine is generous and rich. There is plenty of meat on these bones. Drink 2026-2050. Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit.

95 points | Monica LarnerThe 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet spice and crushed limestone. As always, the wine paint...

95 points | Monica LarnerThe 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet spice and crushed limestone. As always, the wine paints an exciting and authentic portrait of Nebbiolo, albeit with a little more richness and texture in this vintage. This is especially true in terms of the palate, where the wine offers mid-weight intensity with melting tannins. This ambitious release of 300,000 bottles is slated to hit the market in fall 2023. 2025 – 2045 Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s most respected wine producers and a name that every wine lover should know. Formed in 1958 by local growers, it unites more than 50 small family vineyards to produce wines that are honest, consistent, and full of character. Each bottle shows why Barbaresco is so highly regarded, with balance, structure, and purity of fruit. The 2020 vintage is especially impressive, offering bright red fruit, fine tannins, and a finish that speaks of real craftsmanship.