2025 - 2055
This is the last wine I tasted in this group of nine from Produttori del Barbaresco. The reason I placed the 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano last is because it is usually considered to be the most powerful and determined in the flight. However, when you really get down to it, this vintage is more tight, streamlined and ethereal than expected. It is saving the best for later, and indeed, the wine is poised to evolve and open fully many years from now. There is a note of shyness here or restraint. Exactly 16,036 bottles were made, and this Riserva demands patience.
I've written this many times before, but it bears repeating: Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy's ultimate values for your money. This truly exceptional set of new releases is a case in point. The cooperative's best wines cap out at an almost unreal $68 in United States retail. Starting from the most delicate and ending with the most powerful wine, this is the order of my tasting: 1. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Pora 2. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè 3. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 4. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo 5. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Asili 6. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 7. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota 8. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico 9. 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano