2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Cru Riservas

WINE TASTING:
FRI. APRIL 27, 5-7PM Belmont store
SAT. APRIL 28, 1-5PM Concord store

2007 BARBARESCO RISERVAS from PRODUTTORI del BARBARESCO

Fans and supporters of Produttori del Barbaresco, please join us for a tasting to celebrate the arrival of the 2007 Barbaresco Riservas! VINTAGES will pour a selection of 2007 Riservas on Friday, Apr. 27 in Belmont and Sat. Apr. 28 in Concord. Please show your support for the Produttori (and us too!) by purchasing a minimum of one bottle of any 2007 Riserva for the special price of $55.25 (except Rabaja). Pre-order customers are more than welcome with no additional purchase, of course!

Scores and descriptions from Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

“When the 2007 Riservas were younger, the personality of the vintage was quite apparent, but as the wines have aged the site specificity of these great vineyards has begun to emerge. The 2007 Riservas are big wines that should drink well upon release, but they also appear to have enough structure to develop beautifully in the cellar.” – A. Galloni

TASTING SPECIAL PRICE: $55.25 — valid on April 27 & 28 only.

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Asili” 94 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a huge wine. In some ways it reminds me of the 2004 because of its silkiness, but the 2007 is a richer wine with more weight, glycerin and body. Sweet cherries, flowers, hard candy and spices are woven together beautifully through to the plush, enveloping finish. Despite the power and richness there is plenty of Asili character in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. 94 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Montefico” 93 pts. $65

The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is all about energy and sheer power. The Montefico is quite virile, even in this vintage, with a certain austerity in the tannin that will require time in bottle to soften. Dark red fruit, leather, anise and spices are some of the notes that wrap around the insistent, pointed finish. There is plenty of nuance here, but not the early appeal of the year. This is a great showing, but readers will need to be patient. Anticipated maturity: 2017- 2029. 93 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Montestefano”  94 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is another fabulous wine. It is completely different than the Montefico, even though the vineyards are literally next to each other. The Montestefano shows quite a bit more fruit than the Montefico, with silky, polished tannins that convey an impression of sensual elegance. Crushed flowers, mint, licorice and dark red cherries are some of the notes that wrap around the deep finish. This is a fabulous Montestefano. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2032. 94 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Muncagotta” 90 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagotta is the most forward of the 2007 Riservas. Sweet tobacco, leather, dried flowers and dark cherries are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. The Muncagotta comes across as rather feminine, with less of the radiance and lushness of the best wines of the year. The aromas and flavors are already a bit advanced, which isn’t terribly surprising considering the site and year. Ideally the Muncagotta is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Readers shoud note the new spelling for this wine, which reflects the updated vineyard designations that went into effect in Barbaresco with the 2007 vintage. The Muncagotta is the new name for the wine and vineyards previously known as Moccagatta. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. 90 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Ovello” 95 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello comes across as cool, inward and reticent. In other words, very Ovello. It is one of the most complete of these 2007s, as the freshness of the site works to counter some of the more extroverted qualities of the year. The Ovello possesses stunning depth in its fruit, expressive inner perfume and firm yet refined tannins that provide the backdrop for all of the elements to come together beautifully in the glass. The Ovello seems to combine the best qualities of the Montestefano and Montefico. The huge, building finish provides a glimpse as to what awaits those who can exercise a measure of patience. This is a stunning Barbaresco on all counts. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032. 95 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Paje” 92 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Paje comes across as a bit simple in this vintage. It shows good fleshiness and lovely inner sweetness in a fairly approachable style. I don’t see the pedigree of the finest 2007 Riservas here. In exchange, though, readers will find a highly attractive, forward Barbaresco that will drink well right out of the gate. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. 92 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Pora”  94 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is the revelation among the 2007s. Pora is one of the warmer microclimates in Barbaresco owing to its proximity to the Tanaro River. In most vintages Pora is a fairly open wine. The 2007 captures the very best qualities of this site in a radiant, deep expression of fruit. The wine literally covers every inch of the palate as it fleshes out in the glass. The Pora will never be one of the most complex wines here, but today it is immensely enjoyable, not to mention that the 2007 is one of the very finest Poras in recent memory. It will be great to drink young, but also appears to have the stuffing to age well for a number of years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. 94 pts.” –WA

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Rio Sordo” 93 pts. $65

“The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is another of the strong wines in this vintage. Rio Sordo tends to yield wines that are soft and perfumed. Those qualities are very much present in the 2007, except that the vintage has added a little more fleshiness than is typically the case. An expressive, open bouquet redolent of crushed flowers, spices and red berries leads to soft fruit in this elegant, harmonious Barbaresco. This looks to be one of the earlier maturing of the 2007 Riservas. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027+. 93 pts.” –WA

NOT INCLUDED IN WINE TASTING:

2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Ris. “Rabaja” 95 pts. $65 (Please note: this wine is in limited supply; call for details 978-369-2545)

The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is a big, dark wine loaded with dark fruit, menthol, tar, flowers, mint, rosemary and an array of balsamic notes that develop in the glass. The Rabaja possesses stunning depth to match its muscular tannins. It is a dazzling wine endowed with tons of inner perfume and sheer personality as it saturates the palate from start to finish. Today, the Rabaja comes across as huge and almost Barolo like, but it has plenty of Rabaja character. Purists will want to age the wine for a number of years to allow the baby fruit to drop off, but the truth is, it is pretty stunning even today. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037. 95 pts.”–WA