Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vecchie Viti comes from a parcel that was given as a dowry gift in 1929, thus changing hands to the Roagna family. It measures 0.24 hectares and production remains very limited at 1,222 bottles. Montefico tends to be more aromatic compared to Asili, and it reveals many layers of complexity that change rapidly and with fluidity. It starts off with a floral signature of roses and violets and then cedes to redcurrant and spicy licorice. The quality of the firm tannins in 2019 is terrific, and the acidity is spot on. There are elegant chalky sensations to close on this cellar-worthy Nebbiolo.

Wine Advocate (97)

The 2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vecchie Viti comes from a parcel that was given as a dowry gift in 1929, thus changing hands to the Roagna family. It measures 0.24 hectares and production remains very limited at 1,222 bottles. Montefico tends to be more aromatic compared to Asili, and it reveals many layers of complexity that change rapidly and with fluidity. It starts off with a floral signature of roses and violets and then cedes to redcurrant and spicy licorice. The quality of the firm tannins in 2019 is terrific, and the acidity is spot on. There are elegant chalky sensations to close on this cellar-worthy Nebbiolo.

Wine Advocate (94)

The Pajè vineyard is among the most calcareous in terms of soil composition within the entire Barbaresco appellation. The vines are 50 years old, and those six years of barrel and bottle aging are absolutely necessary. This plot is a little under two hectares in size, and this site has been in family hands since 1953. In fact, Roagna is releasing all its expressions from 2013 at the same time. Thanks in part to the relative youth of the vines (young I suppose only by Roagna standards), the 2013 Barbaresco Pajè's aromas are large in scale and generally more fleshed out. The tannins are also a bit more dry or astringent. The wine shows deep contrasts between the sweet nature of the bouquet and the very sharp nature of the mouthfeel.

Vinous (94+)

Cinnamon, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and leather are some of the nuances that emerge from the 2014 Barbaresco Pajè. Pliant and open-knit, the 2014 is surprisingly open for a young Roagna Barbaresco, which makes it almost shockingly easy to enjoy even now (in relative terms), in what is the very early going by Roagna standards. Even, so there is plenty of Nebbiolo structure and tannin. Sweet rose petal, mint, tobacco, underbrush, game, and sweet red berry fruit add to the wine's stunning allure.

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Barbaresco Pajè is the most nuanced and complete of the four wines in this lower tier of vineyard designates. Deceptively light in body, the 2015 possesses striking complexity and dimensions. Breadth and power are implied more than overtly stated. Clean, minerally notes punctuate the finish. The Pajè packs a serious punch. It will be even better in another few years' time. This is just classic Roagna and the wine in this range that offers the best value. I loved it.

Vinous (94)

The 2015 Barbaresco Pajè is the most nuanced and complete of the four wines in this lower tier of vineyard designates. Deceptively light in body, the 2015 possesses striking complexity and dimensions. Breadth and power are implied more than overtly stated. Clean, minerally notes punctuate the finish. The Pajè packs a serious punch. It will be even better in another few years' time. This is just classic Roagna and the wine in this range that offers the best value. I loved it.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Structured but also loaded with finesse, this opens with earthy aromas of truffle, blue wildflowers, new leather and ripe dark-skinned berries. Juicy and delicious, the full-bodied palate doles out succulent Morello cherry, crushed raspberry and licorice before closing on a hint of tobacco. Noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm framework and balance. Give it plenty of time to fully develop.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Approachable and long, the 2018 Barbaresco Paje boasts ripe tannins with a plush texture and displays a light rustic side, with ripe black raspberries, fresh flowers, and a rounded feel on the palate. It is long through the finish, with good ripeness in this vintage. Very approachable, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years.

Wine Advocate (96)

Luca Roagna's father was born in 1953, and that year also marks the first vintage this wine was produced by Luca's grandfather Alfredo, who was deeply convinced by the potential of this vineyard and went into deep financial debt after the war in order to purchase this land. The 2019 Barbaresco Pajè is muscular and firm with dark fruit and grippy tannins. There is a chalky quality that reflects the site's limestone soils. Delivering ample heft and dimension, this is a wine of substance.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Blue flower, tobacco, camphor and ripe berry are just some of the aromas you'll find on the stunning red. Firmly structured and still youthfully austere, the compelling palate features ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and crushed mint alongside noble tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well-balanced and lends a seriously ageworthy structure.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Blue flower, tobacco, camphor and ripe berry are just some of the aromas you'll find on the stunning red. Firmly structured and still youthfully austere, the compelling palate features ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and crushed mint alongside noble tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well-balanced and lends a seriously ageworthy structure.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Blue flower, tobacco, camphor and ripe berry are just some of the aromas you'll find on the stunning red. Firmly structured and still youthfully austere, the compelling palate features ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and crushed mint alongside noble tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well-balanced and lends a seriously ageworthy structure.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barbaresco Pajè Vecchie Viti is fascinating to taste next to the straight Pajè. The old vines bottling shows more depth and muscle, along with a distinctly savory imprint that is quite beguiling. Sweet dried cherry, spice, crushed flowers, mint and incense infuse the 2017 with notable depth. The tannins are a bit unyielding today, so a few years of cellaring at a minimum seem warranted.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

A bright, transparent, youthful ruby color, the 2018 Barbaresco Paje Vecchie Viti is more intense on the nose and concentrated with aromas of rustic cherries, saddle leather, crushed roses, and fresh earth. Coming from vines as old as 90 years (compared to 50 years for the other Paje bottling), it offers fantastic structure, with velvety rich tannins, a delicate warmth on the finish, and a lot of length. It really steps up the game here. Drink 2026-2046.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

A bright, transparent, youthful ruby color, the 2018 Barbaresco Paje Vecchie Viti is more intense on the nose and concentrated with aromas of rustic cherries, saddle leather, crushed roses, and fresh earth. Coming from vines as old as 90 years (compared to 50 years for the other Paje bottling), it offers fantastic structure, with velvety rich tannins, a delicate warmth on the finish, and a lot of length. It really steps up the game here. Drink 2026-2046.

For those seeking the epitome of Italian elegance in a bottle, the Runchet Barbaresco 2015 from Piemonte, Italy, offers a sublime vinous experience. This beautiful Nebbiolo offering, by the esteemed Runchet Estate, is a true testament to the region's rich viticultural heritage. Traditionally aged in large oak barrels for 26 months, Runchet Barbaresco 2015's alchemical transformation results in a wine of proven longevity and immense complexity. Expect a symphony of red cherry, spices, floral and mineral notes on the nose, followed by a harmonious palate showcasing the famous Runchet structure and firm tannins.

The estate's meticulous vineyard practices and low yield philosophy ensure quality over quantity. Harvested from aged vines grown on the region's coveted limestone-clay soils, Runchet Barbaresco 2015 captures the grandeur of one of Italy's most distinguished terroir-driven wines, making it a must-have for avid collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.

From the heart of Italy's Piedmont region comes the Runchet Barbaresco 2016, a refined and suitably suave expression of the cherished Nebbiolo grape variety. This lavish red wine is born from Runchet's meticulously tended vineyards within the acclaimed Langhe hills. Runchet's commitment to environmental sustainability ensures that nature and viticulture exist in harmony, providing the best terroir for Nebbiolo flourishment.

The Runchet Barbaresco 2016 rewards the palate with layered, expressive flavours - the harmonious blend of red cherry, dried rose, and licorice is underscored by hints of truffle and tobacco. Its distinguished complexity and elegant, velvety tannins are the result of meticulous vinification process incorporating stainless steel fermentation, followed by maturation in large Slavonian oak casks. A testament to Runchet's winemaking artistry, the Runchet Barbaresco 2016 will age gracefully, offering exquisite nuance and dimension to the discerning oenophile.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Red berry, violet, forest floor, vanilla and balsamic aromas of menthol and camphor slowly appear on this stunning, radiant red along with whiffs of charcuterie. The vibrant, focused palate is young and taut but already impeccably balanced, evoking juicy red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and cool mint framed in firm acidity and tightly knit but fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already fantastic but will hold for even more complexity. Best 2026–2036.

Vinous (97+)

The 2020 Barbaresco Fausoni takes all the elegance of the 2019 and turns up the dial one more notch. Deep and explosive, the 2020 captures all the best this vintage had to offer. A rush of dark red fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol, salt, lavender and rose petal builds as the 2020 saturates every corner of the palate. Here, too, the balance of fruit, acid and tannin is simply masterful.

Vinous (97+)

The 2020 Barbaresco Pajorè is a textbook wine from this site. A wine of depth and stature, the Pajorè is so impressive, even just bottled. Dark cherry, plum, lavender, spice and menthol race across the palate as the 2020 shows off its obvious pedigree. Time in the glass brings out a whole range of spice, balsamic-infused nuances that build into the palate-staining finish. The 2020 is shaping up to be truly magnificent.

Vinous (93)

Sweet red cherries, tobacco, mint, spices and new leather flesh out in Vietti's 2012 Barbaresco Masseria. Open-knit, silky and gracious, the 2012 is already quite expressive, yet also has enough depth to drink well for a number of years. So many 2012 Barbarescos are a bit forward, but Vietti's 2012 stands out for its freshness. Drink this super-elegant, refined Barbaresco over the next 15-20 years.

Vinous (95)

The 2013 Barbaresco Masseria is fabulous. Large-scaled, ample and super-expressive, the 2013 possesses striking depth and intensity, while retaining tons of Nebbiolo nuance and translucence. Bright red cherry, cranberry, chalk and floral notes give the 2013 its aromatic intensity and lift. The flavors turn a bit darker and richer with time in the glass as the wine fills out its broad frame. Once again, Vietti's Barbaresco punches well above its weight. The Masseria emerges from a vineyard in Bricco di Neive and is essentially vinified and aged like a Barolo. In recent years, the Vietti single-vineyard wines have inched up in price. While none of the wines can be defined as a value, the Masseria offers exceptional quality for the money. Simply put, the 2013 Masseria is a total knock-out. Don't miss it!

Vinous (94+)

The 2014 Barbaresco Masseria is superb. Dark, ample and structured, the 2014 captures all the pedigree of this important Barbaresco vintage. As always, the Vietti's Masseria is a wine that has Barolo-like structure and depth, partly because it is vinified and aged pretty much along the same lines as those wines. I expect the 2014 will require at least a handful of years to shed some tannin and start showing some of its inherent inner sweetness. There is so much to look forward to. Bright acids and a firm spine of tannin give the red-toned fruit energy and vivacity throughout.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2015 Barbaresco Masseria shows nice, delicate fiber and a silkiness that marks this rendition as one of the most subtle and refined in recent memory. It's a much more elegant approach than 2010, for example, another hot July and August growing season that produced very different results, perhaps with more rigidity at the back. Serve this softer wine from 2015 with some blue cheese or Gorgonzola. The team at Vietti has gained access to more fruit in Barbaresco, including acquisitions in 2018 of 2.5 hectares in Roncaglie and 8,000 square meters of vines in Rabajà. Masseria is a fantasy name, but it technically is the informal name of part of the Cottà cru in Neive.