2019 Vietti - Barbaresco Rabaja

A medium ruby color, the 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja comes from vines planted in 1968. It opens in the glass with notes of wild strawberries, crushed roses, leather, and stony earth. Medium-bodied, it has more complexity and good balance, with notes of incense lasting long on the finish. Elegant and refined, with another layer of distinction, it’s going to be a lovely wine to enjoy over the next two or more decades. Vietti was founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s and is based in Castiglione Falletto. After marrying Luciana Vietti in the late 1950s, Alfredo Currado joined the operations of the winery and later was largely regarded as responsible for the resurrection of the Arneis grape. Until last year, the estate had been helmed by fifth-generation winemaker Luca Currado Vietti and his wife Elena, who have been the longtime champions of their family’s winery. In 2016, the estate was purchased by Krause Holdings, which had enabled Luca and Elena to continue their roles while simultaneously supporting significant growth, gaining sought-after site acquisitions for production such as Monvigliero in Barolo. Eugenio Palumbo, who has a long tenure with the winery in all operations, has assumed control as the winemaker of the estate today. Though the winery is in solid control in terms of the winemaking, the recent departure of Luca and Elena is certain to leave a spiritual hole impossible to fill any time soon.