Of this year’s releases, the 2018 Barbaresco and 2017 Riservas, Antonio Galloni writes, ‘Aldo Vacca and his team at the Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative continue to turn out gorgeous wines that deliver a remarkable combination of quality and value.’

Since no Riservas were produced in 2018, the 2018 Barbaresco is super charged with all the top vineyard sites’ wines going into the blend. ‘Eager collectors have been waiting,’ says Greg Sherwood. Monica Larner from the Wine Advocate calls it a ‘luminous Nebbiolo’ ; drink it over the next decade.

*Produttori’s single vineyards, or nine crus, are situated on steep slopes on two sides of the same hill, with different aspects and altitudes. The soils have varying levels of clay and limestone marl. On one side of the ridge – furthest south, south-facing and close to the river – you have Pora, Asili, Rabajà, and the amphitheatre Pajè. These generally produce medium-bodied, aromatic and elegant expressions of their terroir. Below these icons is the southwest-facing Rio Sordo, known for finessed, earthy wines with depth and minerality. On the other side of the ridge, on the northernmost part of the slope, one finds Ovello, Montefico, Montestefano. The clay content here is higher, so these wines are generally earthy, meaty, full-bodied, and more powerful. A bit further south on the same side of the ridge is Muncagöta, which produces intense and elegant yet powerful wines with firm structure.