Barbaresco Rabaja, Giuseppe Cortese 2019

Silky and expressive, delivering cherry, strawberry, rose, white pepper and aniseed aromas and flavors. Ripe and caressing midpalate, turning firmer and taut as this winds down on the lengthy, mineral-tinged finish. Shows fine balance and good potential for aging. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,420 cases made

Enticing scents of blue flower, crushed mint, berry and vineyard dust form the nose along with a whiff of new leather. The firmly structured, focused palate shows cherry marinated in spirits, black raspberry and licorice alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. It’s well-balanced, with vibrant acidity. 2027–2039.