2015 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Angelo, Piedmont

It was the idea of Albino Rocca (Angelo’s father) to vinify a selection of each Barbaresco cru together to create this homage to his son, Angelo Rocca, the much-loved patriarch of the Estate who passed too early, before his own father. Simply put, Angelo is a 2,000 bottle blend of fruit from selected parcels across the Estate, (but mostly Ronchi), that is given a lunga macerazione (55 days on skins using a submerged cap process) in a single, large format, specially designed, Stockinger fermentation cask, and then aged for 24 months in one large Stockinger 1,000 litre cask. The 2015, is just the third release of this wine, and it’s a blend of 50% Ronchi, 25% Loreto and 25% Montersino. Having now tasted five vintages of this wine from bottle and cask, we have no hesitation in stating that it is already a true benchmark of the region. There is something old school that the long maceration has brought, something indescribably complex too, yet the wine is also magically fresh, pure and fine. It has been described by Galloni as a ‘Brunate of Barbaresco’, which gives you some insight into the quality on offer here.

The 2015 Barbaresco Angelo is a blend of fruit mostly from Ronchi, with pieces of Montersino and Loreto that sees 55 days on the skins. Today, the Angelo is very tight and austere. Crushed rose petal, cedar and dried herb notes are pushed forward, while the fruit is more restrained in its expression initially. Time in the glass brings out the wine's pedigree as well as the raciness and natural richness of the year. There is so much to like here.’

93+ points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Really beautiful and subtle Barbaresco with ultra-fine tannins and gorgeous strawberry and light-cherry character. Medium-bodied, this is so persistent and mouth-caressing. Drink in 2020, but so pretty already.