2005 Barbaresco Ovello Riserva
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is just starting to open up. This is an unusually sweet, juicy Ovello, surprisingly so to be honest. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, mint and wild flowers are laced into the soft, inviting finish. It's hard to see much upside in cellaring bottles further, although the wine will certainly hold for another decade. The 2005 offers good flesh, but less in the way of the persistence that makes the best Ovello Barbarescos so compelling. With time in the decanter, the 2005 shuts down considerably, so readers should either cellar the 2005 further or open it well it advance. I have a sneaking suspicion the 2005 Ovello is a wine that will ultimately offer a relatively narrow (by Produttori standards) peak window of drinkability.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good full red. Reticent aromas of cherry liqueur and menthol. Big, rich and sweet, with a slight youthful rusticity to the medicinal cherry flavor. Less complex than the Moccagatta or the Rabaja, but very young today and long on the aftertaste. The wine's medicinal aspect and serious backbone call for extended cellaring.
The 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is usually one of the more reticent of the estate's Riservas, but in 2005 it is especially unyielding. Still firm and tightly wound, the wine possesses notable detail and clarity in its fruit in a focused, compact style. Based on previous experience, I may very well be underestimating this wine, but only time will tell for sure. After several hours the Ovello opened up nicely and my impression is it will develop into a splendid Barbaresco...with time.
The 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is usually one of the more reticent of the estate’s Riservas, but in 2005 it is especially unyielding. Still firm and tightly wound, the wine possesses notable detail and clarity in its fruit in a focused, compact style. Based on previous experience, I may very well be underestimating this wine, but only time will tell for sure. After several hours the Ovello opened up nicely and my impression is it will develop into a splendid Barbaresco?with time. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. The Produttori del Barbaresco have another set of wonderful wines on their hands with these new releases. The Produttori have long made delicious, ageworthy Barbarescos, but in the last few years the overall level of quality and consistency has gone up several notches. Best of all, prices have remained exceedingly fair. The 2005 Riservas are worthy successors to the magical 2004s. The 2005 have more overt fruit than the 2004s but lack the explosive, layered quality that defines so many of the wines of that magical harvest. Still, these fine, traditionally built Barbarescos deserve serious attention. The estate’s fans will be delighted to learn that Riservas are planned for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Readers who want to learn more about the Produttori may want to revisit my article on www.erobertparker.com for notes on a number of the estate’s legendary, benchmark wines. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200
About the producer
Produttori del Barbaresco is one of the world’s finest wine cooperatives, famed for crafting beautiful wines at very reasonable prices. With a heritage dating back over five decades, it rivals Piedmont’s top estates and is celebrated for producing truly magnificent Nebbiolo.