2020 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja, Piedmont

The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is another stellar wine in this range. Dark and explosive, the 2021 possesses notable richness to match its dark, brooding personality. Black cherry, plum, leather, cloves, menthol, licorice and gravel explode onto the palate. The 2020 will require a measure of patience, but it has a ton of potential.

97 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

In this vintage, the Rabajà was served last in a series of nine Riservas; that's because it shows the most structure and power over a very defined and sharp mouthfeel. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is streamlined and tight and a wine of enormous energy. The fruit is crunchy and tight with cassis and blackberry. A pretty mineral note defines Rabajà, giving it a chalky or powdery sensations on the close.

95 points Monica Larner robertparker.com

Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà from Piedmont is one of the crown jewels of traditional Barbaresco, a powerful and profound single vineyard Nebbiolo that captures the soul of the region. Rabajà is widely considered one of Barbaresco’s greatest crus, prized for its ability to produce wines that combine richness, structure, aromatics, and incredible ageing potential. Every vintage of Produttori’s Rabajà Riserva is eagerly anticipated and sells out quickly, often becoming a collector’s treasure.

Produttori del Barbaresco, founded in 1958 by a group of small growers, is revered for its dedication to traditional winemaking and vineyard expression. Their Riserva series, made only in exceptional years, includes nine single vineyard wines, and Rabajà consistently sits among the most revered for its power and complexity.

The Rabajà vineyard lies in the heart of Barbaresco’s historic zone, with a perfect south to southwest exposure that soaks up afternoon sun. The soils here are a classic mix of limestone and clay, giving the wines a deep core of fruit, vibrant acidity, and firm yet polished tannins. It is a site that produces Nebbiolo with both muscle and refinement.

In keeping with Produttori tradition, the winemaking is minimalistic and respectful of the grape. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats with long maceration on skins, followed by thirty six months of ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. There is no cosmetic smoothing or manipulation—the wines are built to tell the story of their vineyard and vintage.

In the glass, Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà reveals intense aromas of dark cherry, dried rose, licorice, tar, and sweet spices. The palate is full bodied and tightly woven, with concentrated red and black fruits, earthy undertones, powerful but finely grained tannins, and a finish that is savoury, long, and commanding. It is a Barbaresco that demands patience and can easily evolve over twenty to thirty years, developing incredible depth and complexity.

Ideal with braised beef, game, truffle dishes, or aged hard cheeses, Rabajà Riserva is a benchmark wine for serious Nebbiolo lovers, embodying the majesty of traditional Piedmont in every bottle.