Tasting Notes
Vinous 93
A dark, powerful wine, the 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is one of the few 2005 Riservas that could use a few more years in bottle, as the tannins remain searing. Still, all the Rabaja comes through loud and clear. Black fruit, graphite, smoke, licorice and melted road tar are some of the signatures. The Produttori’s Rabaja is often a big, muscular Barbaresco. That is exactly what readers should expect with the 2005.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030
Robert Parker 94
The 2005 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja reveals gorgeous inner perfume in a powerful, structured style. This is a big, hulking Barbaresco, but its potential is evident, as the wine’s balance is impeccable. Still, readers will have to exercise considerable patience here. I have seldom been disappointed by older bottles of the Rabaja and expect the 2005 will turn out to be another fine vintage for this bottling as well. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030. The Produttori del Barbaresco have another set of wonderful wines on their hands with these new releases. The Produttori have long made delicious, ageworthy Barbarescos, but in the last few years the overall level of quality and consistency has gone up several notches. Best of all, prices have remained exceedingly fair. The 2005 Riservas are worthy successors to the magical 2004s. The 2005 have more overt fruit than the 2004s but lack the explosive, layered quality that defines so many of the wines of that magical harvest. Still, these fine, traditionally built Barbarescos deserve serious attention. The estate’s fans will be delighted to learn that Riservas are planned for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages. Readers who want to learn more about the Produttori may want to revisit my article on www.erobertparker.com for notes on a number of the estate’s legendary, benchmark wines. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200
Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030
