2014 Barbaresco Produttori del Barbaresco

To be released in September, the 2014 Barbaresco is a beautiful wine that encompasses the important qualities that we look for in fine Nebbiolo. Ultimately, this is the kind of vintage that transfers best to the delicate grape. It saw a long growing season (Nebbiolo loves a late harvest) and steep diurnal temperature shifts to lock in the freshness of aromas. The mouthfeel is a bit thinner in texture, but it delivers plenty of beautiful length and endurance instead. It offers crisp tones of cherry fruit with licorice, wet earth and blue flowers. The line of Barbaresco Riserva wines from the various single vineyards will be made in 2014 (and will be released in early 2018). 2018 - 2030.

The 2014 Barbaresco is fabulous. Lifted in the glass, with striking perfume and captivating translucency, the Produttori's Barbaresco captures all the elements that make this vintage so compelling. Today, the 2014 is very, very young. What stands out most is its textural finesse and balance. It will be a number of years before the aromas and flavors are fully expressive. The only thing that might come as a surprise is the touch of new cask in this wine. Otherwise, the 2014 is one of the finest editions of the straight Barbaresco I can remember tasting, not to mention a superb example of how magnificent this vintage is in Barbaresco. Don't miss it. As a postscript, the Produttori will release 2014 Riservas as well. 2022 - 2042.

Fragrant, with cherry, strawberry and rose notes, this elegant red offers flavors of berry fruit, licorice and underbrush, ending with a firm grip of tannins and chewy licorice and spice accents. Best from 2019 through 2032. 23,333 cases made.

There are around a quarter of a million bottles of this, the co-op's flagship wine; it gets around 35 days' maceration time, and spends two years in large oak botte. In 2014, moreover, Barbaresco growers experienced just one-third of the rain which fell in Barolo in the same vintage. Plump, bright black fruits and a firm, pure and lively palate in which once again black fruits take the lead.