Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Collectors Case 2017

***Montefico - 95 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is one of the stand-outs in this range. It shows the piercing tannins typical of this site, and yet has more than enough fruit to balance those tannins, certainly moreso than wines like the Rabajà. This exposed site benefits from cooling winds from the north, clearly a benefit in 2017. Even in the early going, the balance here is terrific. In 2017, the Montefico is one of the clear stand outs in the range. 2027-2039.

***Montestefano - 93+ points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is a potent, savory wine. Today, the fruit is very much in the background. A brooding, backward Barbaresco, the Montestefano clearly needs time, it is a somber, imposing Barbaresco. Dark plum, earthiness, cloves, menthol and licorice infuse the finish with notable gravitas. There's plenty of Montestefano breadth and resonance. 2027-2039.

***Rabaja - 94 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is a potent, searingly tannic wine that will need a few years to come together. Brooding and backward, even for young Rabajà, the 2017 is painfully young today. It will be interesting to see what time brings. Today, the 2017 is a real powerhouse. Black fruit, menthol, licorice, melted road tar, game and menthol develop in the glass, but only with great reluctance. 2027-2039.

***Ovello - 94 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a heady, explosive wine. I don't think I have ever tasted an Ovello from the Produttori with this much heft. The strong mineral and saline accents typical of this site are present, but they are matched pound for pound by notable mid-palate richness and intensity in its fruit. The 2017 is a brooding powerhouse that needs time to unwind. 2027-2039.

***Asili - 95 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a real stand out. It captures all the sensuality of the year while retaining the translucence and freshness of Nebbiolo. Rose petal, crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon and spice develop with a bit of coaxing. This is another gorgeous wine from the Produttori. Asili is widely regarded as one of the best vineyards in Barbaresco, maybe the best. This wine shows why. 2027-2039.

***Paje - 94 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is a fine choice for readers who enjoy wines of freshness, verve and energy. Dark fruit, menthol, spice, pine and crushed rocks are beautifully delineated. This is an especially chiseled wine in the range of 2017 Riservas. I very much like the balance of richness and vibrancy. In a word: classic. 2027-2039.

***Pora - 93 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is rich, creamy and layered, with a bit more generosity than is typically the case. Sweet red cherry, red plum, spice and rose petal are amplified in a radiant, open-knit Barbaresco that will start drinking well in a few years' time. 2025-2037.

***Muncagota - 92 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is one of the lighter wines in this range. Floral and medium in body, the 2017 gives the impression of a wine that will open earlier than some of the others. It, too, has pretty imposing tannins though, so a few years in bottle are advisable. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, mint and white pepper linger. 2027-2039.

***Rio Sordo - 93 points***
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo shows the natural intensity of the year, and yet retains a good bit of the aromatic lift that is so typical of Nebbiolo at its best. Silky, perfumed and poised, the Rio Sordo is impressive in this tasting. Spice and floral notes lift a core of red-toned fruit in this mid-weight yet packed Barbaresco from the Produttori. This has very fine potential. 2025-2037.

***Montefico - 94 points***
Cedar, truffle, scorched earth and a whiff of blue violet form the nose along with ripe berry. Full-bodied and structured, the palate offers raspberry jam, black cherry, cake spice and star anise alongside taut tannins. Drink through 2029.

***Montestefano - 95 points***
New leather, camphor, cedar and dark spice aromas form the subtle but compelling nose. On the firmly structured palate, tightly knit, noble tannins support fleshy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry star anise and baking spice. Drink through 2029.

***Rabaja - 95 points***
This fragrant, full-bodied red has aromas of iris, woodland berry, dark spice and cedar. Firmly structured but also showing finesse, the savory palate exhibits fleshy raspberry, ripe black cherry and licorice framed in tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Best from 2024 to 2029.

***Ovello - 93 points***
Menthol, star anise and blue flower aromas mingle with botanical herb. The full-bodied palate recalls cherry extract, licorice, fruitcake and baking spice alongside densely woven, fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2029.

***Asili - 93 points***
Floral aromas of iris and pressed rose come to the forefront along with hay, eucalyptus and spice. Full-bodied and rather concentrated, the palate recalls cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and ground clove alongside taut, fine-grained tannins.

***Paje - 94 points***
Balsamic aromas of camphor oil and new leather unite with mature dark-skinned fruit. Smooth, full-bodied and offering a weightless concentration, the palate offers raspberry, cherry marinated in spirits and star anise framed in firm, fine-grained tannins that grip the close.

***Pora - 92 points***
Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with cedar, underbrush and dark spice. The austere palate shows dried cherry, prune soaked in spirits, licorice and clove alongside taut, close-grained tannins that leave a somewhat drying finish. Drink through 2029.

***Muncagota - 95 points***
Mountain hay, cedar, new leather and pipe tobacco aromas take center stage. Full-bodied and concentrated, the savory palate offers fleshy black cherry, licorice and botanical herb set against a backbone of close-grained tannins. A minty note lingers on the close. Drink through 2029.

***Rio Sordo - 93 points***
The nose offers cedar, raspberry and balsamic notes suggesting camphor. On the chewy palate, tight, fine-grained tannins support ripe Morello cherry, licorice, mint and a hint of coffee bean. Drink through 2029.