2011 Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco, Montestefano Riserva

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is the biggest of the bunch. This wine delivers a lasting sense of structure and intensity that is especially apparent as this Barbaresco hits the palate. The bouquet exhibits signs of ripe fruit with soft layers of blackberry preserves and cherry liqueur. The wine's tannic structure is solid and firmly stitched together, yet this wine is slightly softer and perhaps sweeter than the Riserva Muncagota, for example. This is yet another wine destined for long bottle-aging. It's always a special year when the venerated Produttori del Barbaresco releases its set of Riserva Barbaresco wines from the best vineyard sites under their management. The 2011 vintage offers one of those unique opportunities to taste Nebbiolo from Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Rabajà and Rio Sordo. The Riservas were produced in 2009, but Produttori del Barbaresco opted not to make them in 2010. It was determined that 2010 did not have enough consistency for long aging and this decision was controversial, as you can image, given the general applause bestowed on that vintage. Thankfully, we get to enjoy 2011. (ML)