Mid ruby with narrow orange rim. Savoury and almost salty nose. This is all salt and minerals and the pure fruit is there, but still very subdued. Very fine coating tannins and fantastic fresh acidity on the finish. (Walter Spelling) 17 points Jancis Robinson
A bright, fresh style, offering strawberry, licorice, leather, iron and tar aromas and flavours. Tightly wound tannins lend grip as this builds to a long, expansive finish. Well-proportioned, with a long, complex aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2035. 600 cases made.-BS 93 points Wine Spectator
The 2014 Barbaresco Rabajà has plenty of depth and muscle. Sweet red cherry, smoke, liquorice, scorched earth and iron infuse this powerful, yet classically mid-weight Barbaresco. There is plenty of tannic grip lurking beneath. I would prefer to cellar the 2014 for at least a few years to allow some of those tannins to soften. 91 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Here in the dress circle of this hallowed vineyard, the average vine age is 35 years with a south-west exposure. Vinification is essentially the same as for Paolin, although there is more frequent racking during the first week or so of fermentation to gently extract the tannins. Maturation is in oak of varying capacity from 20hl to 50hl. Very expressive bouquet with elements of cherry, anise, rose petal and tobacco. Shows some fruit sweetness on the palate with ripe cherry again in prominence, along with flavours of licorice, spice and alpine herbs. Has the depth and length typical of Rabaja, with an attractive balance of juiciness and firmness that is a characteristic of this vintage. It obviously needs time for the tannin to soften and the complexity to really evolve, but this is clearly a very fine wine in the making.
