This famed co-operative in Piedmont dates back to 1894; forced to close in the 1920s because of fascist economic rules, it was regenerated and revived in 1958 by the village priest of Barbaresco who recognized that the only way the small properties could survive long term was by joining forces and combining their efforts.
Today the cooperative is comprised of 50 families and 100+ hectares of solely Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation, which amounts to almost 1/6th of the vineyards of the appellation. With village Barbaresco and the crus pushing such high prices, attention once again has reverted to some of the great Co-ops who traditionally produce some of the regions best value for money wines. Produttori del Barbaresco’s mission is clear – “Excellence in Simplicity”.
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021, 14% Abv.
An impressively substantial wine yet again from Aldo Vacca and this world famous red wine Co-operative. The wine has a real presence showing complex aromatic layers of wild herbs, dried blood orange, botanicals, vermouth spices over pink musk, red cherry and candied red berry fruits. The palate is sumptuously muscular, plump and fleshy, but beautifully mellow and harmonious with a massive red and black berry fruit concentration, spicy herby tannins and an incredibly bold, vibrant acidity that once again underpins the fabulous depth of fruit and fleshy opulence. This is the real deal, a substantial Nebbiolo that simply sings in the glass. Bravo Aldo! I don’t know how you do it, year in and year out, but the Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021 is an absolute winner. Drink on release and over 10 to 12 plus years.
(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2019, 14% Abv.
High expectations for this new release coming from such a highly lauded vintage, the 2019 does not disappoint. Bold and punchy from start to finish, the nose boasts a multi-layered melange of lavender, violets, ripe red and black cherries, botte oak spice, potpourri and perfumed bathroom soaps. Seductive and muscular, the palate is as bold as it gets with a rich vein of textured mineral tannins over dense, sweet pithy berry fruits before the finish is overwhelmed by a chalky, spicy, stony minerality. This is a very serious piece of kit with high aspirations and serious intent that is sure to seduce serious Piedmont Nebbiolo collectors.
(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Wines available to the trade in the UK from Astrum Wines. Langhe Nebbiolo retails for circa £25-£26pb and the Barbaresco for circa £40pb Inc. Vat.
The undisputed red co-operative champion of the wine world, Produttori del Barbaresco produce, year after year, some of the most scintillating wines of Barbaresco and indeed Piedmont. Masters of Nebbiolo, the 2018 vintage with its cool, damp and fresh weather conditions served up a long list of challenges for producers, yet after all was said and done, many wineries made some exceptional wines fully deserving of the vintage’s 4-star rating with an emphasis on short to medium-term drinking over long-term cellaring.
Produtorri del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2018, DOCG Barbaresco, 14.5% Abv.
We all know when Produttori del Barbaresco decide not to bottle all their great nine grower crus, the resulting wines are all blended into the Barbaresco DOCG normale cuvee. 2018 is just such a vintage and sure enough, eager collectors have been waiting for this super charged Nebbiolo release. On initial examination, the wine shows the most pretty, lifted, inviting aromatics of dried rose petals, crushed coriander, tart red cherries, salty blueberries and a seductive red liquorice complexity. On the palate, there is an attractive translucent purity and silky filigree tannins that combine with a suave, lithe, harmonious concentration of red cherry candied fruits, touches of tar, saline cassis, sloe berries and a finish that typifies true, pure classical Nebbiolo fruit. While the seductive allure of the perfumed aromatics currently outpace the slightly backwardness of the palate fruit density and structure, all the signs in the glass point to another extremely fine and supremely attractive Barbaresco release. Drink from 2022 to 2034+.
Founded back in 1958 and now representing a group of 51 growers with a combined total of 100 ha of vineyards, Produttori del Barbaresco under the leadership of Aldo Vacca has gone from strength to strength. The 2017 vintage certainly has a tough act to follow with the Produttori co-op producing one of their finest modern era wines ever with their 2016 release. But there is a reason that Produttori del Barbaresco is rated as the best red wine Co-operative in the world. Wines like the 2015, 2016 and 2017 exemplify top quality village Barbaresco! When they need to really deliver, they exceed expectations time and time again.
Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco DOCG, 14.5% Abv.
The deliciously serious 2017 is the product of a warm, dry growing season that perhaps pushes the 2017 towards a darker, deeper more broody expression. The aromatics are dense and rich, layered with black cherry, tar, melted black liquorice, salty cassis, maritime sea breeze, asphalt and perfumed violets. Where the 2016 was bright and more red fruited, the 2017 is more rustic, dense, tannic and slightly chewy in a positively Piedmontese style. The palate shows a sinewy, muscled richness and ample crunchy black cherry and black berry with tart bright acids, rock salt, aniseed root and yet more black tarry liquorice nuances. Always fabulously balanced and texturally tightly focused, this is another very impressive follow up to the stellar 2016 with the main components of the blend coming from the Ovello, Montestefano, Muncagota, Pora and Rio Sordo vineyards. Drink now to 2035+
The warm 2015 vintage in Barbaresco was considered another excellent year in the region and merited the bottling of the Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Single Vineyard wines. Produttori del Barbaresco only produce the Riserva labels if all nine Cru’s in their co-operative stable meet the same high quality standards, else all the Cru wines are declassified and blended into the village DOCG Barbaresco.
Managing Director Aldo Vacca was recently in London to presents the new releases of Produttori del Barbaresco’s 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Single Vineyard wines from all nine Cru sites; Rio Sordo, Pora, Pajè, Asili, Ovello, Montefico, Muncagota, Rabajà and Montestefano.
Tasting with Aldo Vacca
This was a fantastic opportunity to taste these iconic wines, side by side and learn from one of Piedmont’s greatest ambassadors about the uniqueness of Barbaresco, it’s terroir and the characteristics of the individual Cru sites.
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2018, 14.5 Abv.
Beautifully lifted perfumed nose of red liquorice, violets and macerated red cherries with hints of exotic herbs and spices. Palate shows overt ripeness and a generous fleshy upfront opulence. Tannins are grippy and mineral holding the tarry red and black cherry fruits in check. The finish is long and textured with plenty of four square power, ripeness and complexity.
(Wine Safari Score: 91/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2016, 14.5 Abv.
Like only the finest vintages, this immaculate Village Barbaresco oozes character and complexity with some of the prettiest aromatics elicited from the Nebbiolo fruits. Seductive perfume of violets, rose petals, cherry blossom, pink musk and cherry rock candy overwhelm the senses. The palate intensity and piercing concentration is also knockout fabulous with tart sweet and sour red cherry, red liquorice and a smokey graphite minerality on the finish. Broad, mouth filling and just an outstanding effort!
(Wine Safari Score: 94+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
Lovely broody dark fruited aromatics with black plum, black cherry, tar and black liquorice with lifted hints of dried herbs, thyme, graphite and stony dust. The palate is dense, full and compact with silky fine grained tannins, a solid core of robust black fruits and a creamy, textural black cherry and wood spice finish.
(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
Another rather dark and broody expression of Nebbiolo with black earthy fruit nuances, black cherry, damson plum and hints of salty black liquorice. The palate is saline and crisp with tarry layers of liquorice, piquant black berries and spicy mineral tannins. Plenty of power, density and frame. Give this a few years in the cellar to open up.
(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Paje Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
This fabulous Paje shows exotic red and black fruit spice with notes of grilled herbs, dried herbs, sun dried red cherries and subtle red bramble berry spice. The tannins are pinpoint precise, fine grained and drying, sleek yet powerful highlighting the incredible precision and balance of this Cru. Very classical and classy indeed.
(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
This neighbouring vineyard of Paje shows fine aromatics that mixes an exotic array of baking spices with stony minerality, graphite, black liquorice, spiced plums and black cherry pith. The palate is super dense and focused, dark fruited and broody but also revealing massive concentration, creamy textural tannins and seamless harmony. Serious expression.
(Wine Safari Score: 93+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
The Ovello shows a taut, tight focused aromatic lift with precise notes of red cherry, wood smoke, graphite and kirsch liquor hints. The palate is fleshy and bright, opulently red fruited but also powerfully grippy, structured and intense with tart red cherry, sour red plum and a mineral bite on the vibrant finish. A lively Ovello that’s full of life and energy.
(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
This is a very grown up expression of Barbaresco with restrained classical aromatics that suggest there is plenty to come but the wine is just a little bit shy about revealing its soul in its youth. There is subtle red cherry and blood orange spice that melts into notes of graphite, stony minerality and black berry spice. The palate is wonderfully balanced showing a powerful structure, creamy dense drying tannins but also piercingly sweet focused red and black berry fruits. Impressive harmony and textural balance, restraint and classical power, the archetypal Asili.
(Wine Safari Score: 96/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
The aromatics are slightly muted but manage to squeeze out high toned notes of tart red cherry, kirsch liquor and graphite minerality. Some notes of pink musk, sweet grilled herbs and red cherry rock candy sweetness develop in the glass. Texturally dense and beautifully creamy, the palate shows wonderful vibrancy and energy, bright spicy stony red cherry fruits and a compact, powder tannin finish. Lovely focus and balance.
(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
This is another classy expression with purity and perfume, lift and crystalline focus of red cherry fruits and ruby grapefruit citrus. The palate retains super freshness but is buffered by dense fleshy sweet red cherry pastille fruits, red apple spice and tart sour black plum. Dense and delicious, classically attention grabbing and opulently powerful. Fabulous!
(Wine Safari Score: 96+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano Cru 2015 Riserva, 14.5 Abv.
A rather exotic aromatic melange reveals itself on this opulent, ripe Montestefano with pronounced notes of cherry confit, graphite and kirsch liquor. The palate is seductively opulent and powerful, expressive and fleshy with a flamboyant mouth filling intensity, sweet cherry pastille fruits, grilled herbs, wild strawberry and a fleshy, creamy, soft plump finish that caresses the palate on a long persistent length. Bit of a show stopper.
Greg Sherwood MW 