Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco "Rabaja" DOCG 2015
(Barbaresco, Italy) 750mL - [JS 99] [WA 95] [WS 93]

About the Winemaker: Bruno Giacosa

One of the legendary winemakers of the world, Bruno Giacosa crafted the most prestigious single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco wines during a career that spanned nearly eight decades. He joined the family business at the age of 15, representing the third generation of his Langhe winemaking family. Giacosa’s unfailing pursuit of perfection, his unrivaled palate and his intimate knowledge of vineyards in the Langhe quickly drew recognition and helped establish Piedmont as a leading wine region. In 1980, Giacosa began to acquire prime parcels in Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra and Barbaresco to produce wines that are rightly regarded as the finest expressions of Nebbiolo. His legacy rests with daughter Bruna, who continues to uphold her father’s winemaking philosophy to respect traditional techniques while using the best of modern technology. The goal is for each distinguished site to produce articulate, unique wines.

Tasting notes

Red garnet color with orange highlights. Spice, violets and fresh red fruit aromas lead to a palate that is full bodied, structured and refined. A persistent finish marked by minerality and herbal characteristics.

Technical Data

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Subarea: Rabajà (village of Barbaresco)
Area: 0.6 ha
Vineyard exposure: Southwest
Age of vines: 20-22 years old
Soil: Calcareous clay
Vineyard density: 4,000 vines per hectare
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Harvest date: September 24,
Fermentation and maceration: 20 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 20 months in Botti cask of French oak, 17 months in bottle
Bottling: July
Alcohol: 14.5% vol.

Vineyard
Rabajà represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa's vineyards are comprised of 0.6 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils.

Ratings and Reviews

99 Points - James Suckling:
"The purity of fruit to this is incredible with cherries, plums and white truffle. Hints of ash and stone. Roses, too. Full body, superb texture of super fine tannins and incredible length. The harmony is so mesmerizing. Elegance and length. Bright energy. Try in 2022 when it comes together. Tiny production." (Nov 2019)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:

"This beautiful wine was released in January and is on the market now. The 2015 Barbaresco Rabajà benefits from one more year in the bottle (compared to its peers) to show expressive and exuberant intensity. The bouquet delivers a special floral note that resembles lady's perfume of fragrant rose potpourri, but these ethereal tones only last for the first minute or two. After that, you get a solid core of dark fruit with blackberry and dried cherry. The wine is nicely contoured by firm tannins and lasting acidity. The Rabajà vineyard site measures only half a hectare, and 3,600 bottles are made each year as a result." - Monica Larner (June 2019)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:

"A savory style, this red offers balsamic aromas of eucalyptus, wild rosemary and fennel, leading to a core of cherry, licorice, tar and tobacco flavors. The tannins are still a bit gruff, but a sense of elegance persists. Best from 2022 through 2042. 300 cases made, 40 cases imported." - Bruce Sanderson