1996 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja
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Tasting notes
Black cherry, plum, smoke, game and tobacco infuse the Produttori del Barbaresco 1996 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà. Dark and brooding in the glass, the 1996 is an intense wine that captures all the muscle of this famed, historic site in the town of Barbaresco. Readers should expect a virile, massively tannic wine. Early hints of tertiary aromatics have begun to set in. I would prefer drinking the 1996 over the next decade or so. It may very well hang on beyond that, but I am not sure there is much to gain. The cork is a bit dried out, which leads me to suspect this is a less than perfect bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
All of the 1996 Riservas showed beautifully. It was hard to pick a favorite among this first set of wines. For the most part 1996 Barbarescos remain young, and still offer considerable upside potential. The 1996 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà was the most complete of these 1996s, though, and it totally won me over with its explosive kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors. A young, vibrant wine, it promises to drink splendidly for at least another 20 years, if not more.
This wine is profound. It is purely made and merits considerable attention. The wine requires an additional two years of cellaring. The aging potential for this wine is approximately 15 years. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200
About the producer
Produttori del Barbaresco is one of the world’s finest wine cooperatives, famed for crafting beautiful wines at very reasonable prices. With a heritage dating back over five decades, it rivals Piedmont’s top estates and is celebrated for producing truly magnificent Nebbiolo.