1999 Barbaresco Rabaja
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Tasting notes
One of the few 1999 Barbarescos still worth cellaring, the 1999 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà races across the palate with expressive mentholated, balsamic notes melded into explosive dark fruit, all supported by firm, bracing tannins. Still powerful and intense, the 1999 captures the essence of this majestic site in spades. In 1999, the Rabajà is perhaps a bit more rustic and less aristocratic than it can be, but it is still highly appealing.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1999 Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva, dark in color, sweet in its fruit and with an elegant smokiness, is round, ample, supple in flavor, and well structured. Drink: 2005-2015. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200
Dark ruby. Fairly unexpressive in the aromatics at first, then opening to reveal menthol, minerals and a balsamic note. Very austere right now, with flavors of ripe red fruits and plenty of mouth-puckering tannins, this wine will deliver tremendous drinking pleasure to those who are patient enough to wait for it to come around.
Subdued but pure aromas of dried flowers and nutty oak. Round entry, then quite closed and uncompromisingly dry in the mid-palate, with a medicinal menthol quality. Combines Barolo-like flavors with the lighter body of Barbaresco. Sweeter and broader on the back end, finishing with big, chewy, youthfully tough tannins that call for five or six years of additional bottle aging.
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.