Produtorri del Barbaresco 1978 'astonishingly good'
While co-operatives are not always known for producing great wines, one writer has found a Produtorri del Barbaresco that surprised him.
The co-operative, which produces Barbarescos from single vineyards, offers an affordable alternative to some of Italy's more luminous names, such as Giascosa and Gaja, Jay McInerney writes in the Wall Street Journal.
In particular, the 1978 Produtorri del Barbaresco holds its own against any of the great Barolos from the same vintage, Mr McInerney noted, exhibiting "an earthy, truffly nose and that wonderful tarry quality of aged Nebbiolo".
"For some of us, it was even more exciting than the '78 Comte Armand Clos des Epeneaux in magnum, which a very generous friend had brought to the table," he added.
While Barbaresco and Barolo are often considered very similar wines, the Tasmanian Mercury recently advised that the former is softer and more perfumed, while the latter is more tannic and intense.