Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja Riseva 2016

Only in the very best of years do they age their Rabaja for an extended period in barrel.

In their words -   The winery’s signature wine; produced exclusively in the most classic vintages, it reaches the highest expression of the Nebbiolo variety, in terms of complexity and longevity, in the Rabajà vineyard.

This wine is a selection from a small part of Rabajà and is only made in the best, classic years. It has considerable structure, elegance and great capacity for evolution.

Ageing - 40 months in Slavonian oak barrels ranging in size of 17 to 25 hectolitres and in age of 30/32 years. Minimum 3 years of maturing in the bottle before being released for sale.

Critics thoughts - The 2016 Rabajà Riserva is drop-dead gorgeous, starting with its luminous ruby color and beautiful aromas of forest berry, rose, iris, menthol and star anise. Full-bodied, delicious and focused, the elegantly structured palate features juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and saline mineral notes before a minty close. While expressive and savory, it also shows the restraint of the best world-class wines and is beautifully balanced, with polished tannins and fresh acidity. What a stunner. Drink 2024–2036.  99 points Kerin O’Keefe

Fully saturated red. Very fresh aromas of balsamic oils and mint complement sour red cherry, redcurrant and star anise aromas. Then also extremely pure red cherry flavours in the mouth, that are nicely complemented by hints of mint, star anise, and sage; this wine’s deep, rich, complex personality really builds and builds with aeration. Finishes long with loads of minerality and noteworthy chewy but noble tannic clout. This is really a great Barbaresco Riserva, magically able to deliver a combination of power and grace at every sip. Drinking window: 2026-2046  97+ points Terroir Sense

The wine is stellar. Just starting to open aromatically, the wine is superb in the tasting. Sweet macerated cherry, spice, new lather, tobacco and dried herbs all grace the wine with notable aromatic complexity. As always the wine is an ethereal, engaging wine with less immediacy and mid-palate than other Barbaresco but in exchange tons of nuance. This s the best showing yet for this label, a wine that satisfies both the hedonistic and intellectual senses.  97 points Antonio Galloni

The Giuseppe Cortese 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is a late release and one I am sure this winery is quite happy to see go to market given the hype surrounding this excellent vintage. There is a very pretty smoothness here, both in terms of the aromatic delivery and the mouthfeel, which shows how nicely Nebbiolo can reach balance. The bouquet is lithe and delicate with wild berry, crushed rose petal, white licorice and campfire ash.  95 points Robert Parker