Barbaresco
Barbaresco, seen as the more elegant counterpart of Barolo, spreads over 763 ha under vines (a third of Barolo’s ha), and is divided into four communes.
The Nebbiolo grape is said to ripen earlier here because of the gentler altitude – up to 450 metres – and the proximity to the Tanaro river. The legal guidelines for ageing reflect this, requiring only 26 months minimum of ageing for Barbaresco compared to 38 months for Barolo. Along with altitude, soil variations are another reason for their flavour differences: Barolo and Barbaresco are both limestone-based soils, but Barbaresco's soil is comparatively younger. Stylistically, Barbaresco is often described as a more elegant version of Barolo but, like its neighbour, its wines can come in a diverse spectrum of styles and are never without energy and power.
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Barbaresco
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Vinous (96)
The 2016 Barbaresco Montestefano is simply magnificent. Bright floral overtones and red/purplish berry fruit give the Montestefano a feeling of focus and explosive energy that is compelling. Hints of mocha, leather, smoke, lavender and a whole range of balsamic inflections open up in the glass, revealing a Barbaresco of power, structure and complexity. Ample in feel and yet wonderfully vibrant, the Montestefano is wonderfully complete. It is also one of the very best wines I have ever tasted from La Ca' Nova. The Montestefano is a bit more showy today than the Montefico, but both wines are remarkable.HK$4,180.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017Vinous (94+)
The 2017 Barbaresco Montestefano is a dark, brooding beauty. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, mocha, cloves, leather and licorice add to a real sense of gravitas that runs through the 2017. Readers need to be patient with the Montestefano. I suspect it will always remain something of a brute, but it is endowed with tremendous presence and a ton of personality.HK$1,670.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2018 Barbaresco Montestefano is brisk and engaging. This is an especially strict reading of Montestefano that seems to have more of Montefico-like sense of vibrancy and tension. Rosewater, orange peel, white pepper and bright red-toned fruit are all finely cut. The 2018 comes across as a touch severe today. I would cellar it for a few years and see what happens.HK$1,765.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2019 Barbaresco Montestefano shows the greater body and breadth that is typical of this site vis-à-vis the Montefico. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice, leather and rosewater build in the glass. The 2019 marries pliant fruit with explosive energy along with the searing tannins that are typical of this very young vintage. The 2019 is quite simply mind-blowingly great. It might be even better with more time in bottle!HK$2,620.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2020 Barbaresco Montestefano is a dense, plush wine, in other words classic Montestefano. Like all the Barbarescos here, the Montestefano is relatively open, which will surely please readers who can't or don't want to cellar their wines. Dark Nebbiolo fruit intermingled with spice, leather, incense and licorice build into the creamy, resonant finish. The 2020 is a gorgeous wine; the only real problem is that it is not quite the 2019!HK$1,650.00 -
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Italian winemaking with La Ca' Nova Barbaresco Montestefano 2021. This red beauty hails from the prestigious Barbaresco region, complete with its limestone-rich soils and sun-drenched vineyards. The esteemed La Ca' Nova estate, known for its traditionalist sensibilities and painstaking attention to detail, has crafted this delight. Employing Nebbiolo grapes, hand-harvested from 50-year-old vines, this wine undergoes a month-long maceration to elicit profound depth and complexity. The lengthened ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months brings forth an enchanting tapestry of opulent, layered flavours. Subtle notes of ripe cherries, violet, and leather amalgamate, punctuated by nuances of pepper and spice. A prodigious structure and commendable balance make La Ca' Nova Barbaresco Montestefano 2021 an absolute standout in any wine aficionado's collection.
HK$2,325.00 -
(12x75cl) 2006Wine Spectator (93)
A fabulous nose of Christmas pudding, plum and lemongrass leads to a full body, with soft, silky tannins and beautiful fruit. Best after 2012. 960 cases made. -JSHK$14,620.00 -
Wine Spectator (93)
A fabulous nose of Christmas pudding, plum and lemongrass leads to a full body, with soft, silky tannins and beautiful fruit. Best after 2012. 960 cases made. -JSHK$6,365.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2007 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is focused and nicely articulated. This is a rather firm, nuanced Gallina from La Spinetta with gorgeous length, tons of detail and fabulous overall balance. It is at once more concentrated and also deeper than the Bordini, so another few years in bottle seem a prerequisite. The Gallina is the most improved wine the estate's lineup. The 2007 is quite possibly the most polished, elegant Gallina I have ever tasted here.HK$7,905.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2008 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina bursts from the glass with a rush of dark fruit. This is one of the more reticent, powerful Gallinas I can remember tasting from La Spinetta. Dark flowers, mint, tar, licorice and French oak are some of the notes that resonate on the explosive finish. This is a wine that will require patience, but it is impressive for its completeness, something I haven’t always been able to say about this wine. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.HK$5,300.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
A sweet, floral bouquet leads to expressive layers of fruit in the 2009 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina. There is an immediacy to the Gallina that is quite appealing. White truffles, red berries and spices emerge over time, adding further complexity. I am surprised by how well the 2009 is showing today, even if it starts to shut down a bit in the glass. The tannins are firm, yet there is more than enough fruit to fill out the wine’s frame. This is one of the better young Gallinas I remember tasting. A rich, textured finish rounds things out in style. There is a lot to like and love in the Gallina. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.HK$2,365.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2012 Barbaresco Gallina Vürsù is a gorgeous expression that marches to the beat of its own drum (as do all of Giorgio Rivetti's fascinating wines). The wine delivers intensity, density and freshness in equal measure throughout its balanced presentation. The perfumed bouquet offers dark fruit and dried cherry with subtle touches of cinnamon and dark cola in a background role.HK$5,015.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is a great introduction to the vintage at La Spinetta. Gallina tends to give open, soft Barbarescos that drink well young. Not here. The 2013 is unusually bright, tense and focused for this wine, with darker fruit and more tightly wound personality than I am used to seeing. Dark red cherry, mint, wild flowers and spices come together, but the 2013 is going to need time to fully come together. Even today, though, it is striking. There is a spherical breadth to the 2013 that is impossible to miss.HK$7,040.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is a great introduction to the vintage at La Spinetta. Gallina tends to give open, soft Barbarescos that drink well young. Not here. The 2013 is unusually bright, tense and focused for this wine, with darker fruit and more tightly wound personality than I am used to seeing. Dark red cherry, mint, wild flowers and spices come together, but the 2013 is going to need time to fully come together. Even today, though, it is striking. There is a spherical breadth to the 2013 that is impossible to miss.HK$3,665.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is absolutely gorgeous. Vivid and nuanced on the palate, the 2015 is fresh, juicy and flat-out delicious. The Gallina is often a shy wine that needs time in bottle to truly blossom, but the 2015 seems to have skipped that initial phase of reticence. In two separate tastings, the 2015 has been incredibly sensual and polished. Historically, the Gallina has the most consistent track record in aging of the three top Barbarescos in the range. It will be interesting to see if that is the case here as well. For now, the 2015 Gallina is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from La Spinetta.HK$7,410.00 -
Vinous (95)
Supremely elegant and light on its feet, La Spinetta's 2016 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is simply fabulous. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spice and a touch of French oak add nuance to a core of sweet red/purplish berry fruit. Wonderfully supple and racy, the Gallina captures every bit of the potential 2016 had to offer. This is such a gorgeous wine. I can't remember tasting a Gallina here with this much diversity.HK$6,470.00 -
Vinous (95)
Supremely elegant and light on its feet, La Spinetta's 2016 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is simply fabulous. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spice and a touch of French oak add nuance to a core of sweet red/purplish berry fruit. Wonderfully supple and racy, the Gallina captures every bit of the potential 2016 had to offer. This is such a gorgeous wine. I can't remember tasting a Gallina here with this much diversity.HK$3,410.00 -
HK$6,735.00 -
HK$3,400.00 -
Vinous (95)
A gorgeous, elegant wine, the 2018 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is captivating from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol build in the glass. More than anything else, though, I am impressed by the wine's vibrancy and poise. Gallina has always aged beautifully here. I expect that will be the case with the 2018 as well.HK$3,125.00 -
HK$5,370.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022Jeb Dunnuck (94)
A medium ruby red hue, the 2022 Barbaresco Gallina has pretty and refined layers that start to unfold in the glass with notes of cinnamon, bright red berries, currants, sweet tangerine citrus, and floral perfume. The palate is linear and focused, with fine tannins, ripe acidity, and notes of dusty earth on the finish. It’s a very pretty wine out of the gate and should drink well over the next 12-15 years.HK$5,765.00 -
HK$7,115.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2006 Barbaresco Starderi is easily the best of these three offerings, as the wine's balance is exceptional. Aromatics, fruit and structure are all woven together in an impressive display of power and elegance. The fruit retains the house's characteristic super-ripe style, but that element is more finely tuned here than in the estate's other Barbarescos. Simply put, the 2006 is another terrific Starderi from proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and his team.HK$8,895.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Starderi (Magnum) immediately flaunts the density and important structure that is associated with this celebrated vineyard site. This is an overtly generous and bountiful expression of Nebbiolo that offers thick layers of aromatic intensity. The wine's best asset is the intact and vibrant quality of the primary fruit—so presented now, eleven years after the harvest. This is an expensive bottle for sure, but it does award a delicious and unforgettable experience.HK$5,520.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
This carefully evolved Barbaresco shows a finer texture and fiber than you might have expected given its relatively robust construction. You get loads of cola and balsamic herb from the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Starderi (Magnum) and, of course, not as much primary fruit. This charmer of a wine confidently exudes tertiary notes of licorice, tar and smoky aromas with every pour. It's a mentholicious and balsamic Barbaresco that I wouldn't be afraid to serve now, at least not for a group of friends who absolutely deserve it. Only 600 magnums exist.HK$7,565.00 -
(12x75cl) 2010Wine Advocate (95)
The 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is born in a vineyard that sits at 330 meters above sea level. Giorgio tells me that the challenge here is crafting a wine with both elegance and power. Thanks to ideal growing conditions in 2010, he has succeeded at his task. Firm structure is supported by fleshy fruit tones and elegantly integrated spice. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.HK$23,360.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is born in a vineyard that sits at 330 meters above sea level. Giorgio tells me that the challenge here is crafting a wine with both elegance and power. Thanks to ideal growing conditions in 2010, he has succeeded at his task. Firm structure is supported by fleshy fruit tones and elegantly integrated spice. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.HK$3,725.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
The 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is born in a vineyard that sits at 330 meters above sea level. Giorgio tells me that the challenge here is crafting a wine with both elegance and power. Thanks to ideal growing conditions in 2010, he has succeeded at his task. Firm structure is supported by fleshy fruit tones and elegantly integrated spice. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.HK$8,390.00 -
Vinous (94+)
La Spinetta fans won't want to miss the 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi, but readers will have to be patient, as the Starderi is going to need time. The only question is how much. Classic bright red fruit notes typical of Starderi are matched by equally characteristic, imposing tannins that need time to soften. Linear, taut and pulsing with energy, the 2013 is full of potential for those who can wait.HK$7,515.00
