In a vintage shaping up globally to be one of the most sought-after in almost a decade (with perhaps the unfortunate exception of Bordeaux), the wines of 2021 continue to impress and woo the critics internationally, and the incredible new releases from the appellation of Barbaresco are certainly no exception.

This Piedmont region enjoyed another mild winter with plenty of rain and some snow, which turned out to be essential over the course of the rest of a vintage where rainfall was at its lowest level in recent years, finishing hot and fast with heat continuing well into September. The wines from 2021 are incredibly energetic, fresh and texturally exciting with the vintage already being tipped by local vignerons to be one of the truly great years with wines showing pristine fruit purity, piercing intensity, together with a majestic, classical Nebbiolo structure. 

While much of Barolo has succumb to the pressures of a buoyant, thirsty international fine wine market over the past few years, Barbaresco defies the odds and remains incredibly well priced but also very much Barolos equal in terms of quality, complexity, age ability and simple winemaking precision. I recently tasted a pre-release sample of probably THE greatest value for money Barbaresco on the market from Produttori del Barbaresco, and needless to say, I was not left disappointed!

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2021, Barbaresco DOCG, 14.5% Abv. 

Showing a super bright piercing aromatics of pressed red cherry, saline black berries and tart cranberry fruit complexity with fragrant undertones of polished mahogany, damp earth and a delicately herbal, floral potpourri spice melange. The palate is sleek, fulsome and absolutely brimming with tart juicy red and black Nebbiolo fruits that support an incredibly tight, fine grained tannin structure, with notes of cherry cola and pink rock candy, finishing with a sleek, sumptuous, supple sappy mineral persistence. This cooler vintage has delivered a Produttori del Barbaresco expression that surpasses possibly even some of the previous non-declared / declassified Cru Barbaresco expressions where all nine Crus were blended together into the Barbaresco normale. A simply spectacular, mouth watering wine once again.

(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW) 

The Produttori del Barbaresco wines are imported exclusively into the UK and are available to trade from Astrum Wines.