Barbaresco Cru Rizzi, Cantina Rizzi 2019

As the township of Treiso has the highest vineyard elevations in the Barbaresco D.O., the Dellapianas’ wines are always beautifully transparent and inherently elegant examples. Their Cru bottling of Rizzi is perhaps the most ethereal of their bottlings from this village, with an intensely red fruity personality that shares some similarities with Asili over in the township of Barbaresco proper. It is never as deep as Asili, but in has a similar aromatic and flavor profile, at least to my palate. The 2019 Rizzi from Enrico Dellapiana is outstanding, cherries, red plums, spit-roasted pigeon, rose petals, woodsmoke, curry, a beautiful base of white soils, mustard seed, camphor and a nice touch of spice tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, transparent and shows off excellent red fruity mid-palate depth, with tangy acids, fine-grained tannins, great focus and grip and a long, complex, vibrant and impeccably balanced finish. Again, this absolutely roars to conclusion on the finish! Great juice. 2033-2090.

Rizzi's 2019 Barberesco is an even-colored ruby with a garnet rim. It has a light but persistent nose of spicy red fruits with a green herb note. There is a good concentration and richness to the texture, with very spicy tannins and a spicy finish. Tightly put together, it has a tangy, lingering finish with plenty of fine, savory tannins. Keep two to three years, then drink up to 15 to 20 years. 2025-2042. 14.5%

Alba. Just mid ruby. Concentrated raspberry and strawberry with a peppery tingle and saline, minerally hints. Ripe raspberry fruit that really sticks to the elegant palate. Fresh acidity and a layer of cracking tannins on the finish. Long, precise and lithe. 14.5%. 2022 – 2030.