1998 Barbaresco Paje Riserva
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Tasting notes
(from the oldest vines in the vineyard; aged for 12 years in old barrels before being bottled in 2011): Medium amber-red. Shows a decadent sweetness to the aromas of roasted plum, animal fur, leather and menthol. Strong acidity energizes the flavors of strawberry and dried flowers. Late-arriving tannins show a slight dry edge but this has plenty of life. Better and more forthcoming than a bottle I tasted a year ago, but the oak used to age this wine is not up to the quality of the wood being used here today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Roagna's 1998 Barbaresco Riserva Pajé is a gorgeous, wonderfully complete wine. Orange peel, incense, sage, tobacco and mint notes meld into dried cherry, plum and smoke. Constantly changing in the glass, the 1998 Barbaresco Riserva Pajé is a poignant and wonderful reminder of what makes Nebbiolo such a special grape. At 15 years old, the 1998 remains fresh and vibrant for a wine of its age, with gorgeous depth and plenty of development in store for readers who can patient. Those who can't will find a nuanced, striking Barbaresco at the early part of its drinking window.
Good full red. Scented nose offers redcurrant, tobacco, marzipan, dried flowers and nutty oak. Suave and silky in the mouth, but with lovely vinosity giving shape and depth to the succulent flavors. This rich, mellow Barbaresco offers very broad mouth coverage and compelling sweetness. Finishes with good acid spine and gripping tannins. Developed nicely with time in the recorked bottle.
The 1998 Barbaresco Riserva Pajé is a deep, penetrating effort, bursting with cherries galore along with notes of spices, licorice and menthol. Rich and full-bodied, yet supported by classic structure and big, imposing tannins, it is a vibrant, powerful Barbaresco that will require at least a few more years of cellaring.
About the producer
Roagna is one of Italy’s finest estates, producing top, single-vineyard Nebbiolos in Barbaresco and Barolo. The estate’s Crichët Pajé Barbaresco is one of the rarest fine wine cuvées in Piedmont with fewer than 2,000 bottles produced each year.