Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva "Rabaja" DOCG 2020
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JD 98] [VM 97] [WA 95] [WS 95]

About the Winery:
Produttori del Barbaresco exclusively vinifies Nebbiolo grapes from the vineyards owned by the 50 member-growers in within the Barbaresco DOCG appellation.

In any given vintage a Barbaresco and a Nebbiolo Langhe are produced. The former, first released in the 1958 vintage, is made by assembling grapes from different fully grown vineyards. This is the flagship wine of the winery, known all over the world for the solid quality and great value that it represents. The latter, first released in 1975, is made with a selection of grapes from younger vineyards in within the region. It is suited for earlier consumption and it is a great way to introduce one’s palate to the beauty of the Nebbiolo grape and the Barbaresco terroir.

In great vintages only, nine single vineyards are produced and released after four years under the Riserva (Reserve) program. These wines are produced from a selection of grapes sourced from nine historical premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries. Historical vineyards, known for centuries for producing high quality grapes and now worldwide famous also thanks to the Produttori del Barbaresco legacy. Their names are Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Pajè, Pora, Rabajà, Rio Sordo.

First released in 1967, they are vinified and aged with exactly the same style in order to show their different personalities at their best and purest form. A tasting of the nine "Produttori Crus" is therefore an unique experience, just like a walk through the hills of Barbaresco can be!

About the Wine

Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo

MGA: Rabajà

Vineyard size: 3.7 hectares (9.14 acres)

Vineyard exposure: south - west

Soil: calcareous limestone with sandy veins

Vinification: fermentation at 30°c (85°f), 28 days of skin contact time, malolactic completed

Ageing: in 25-50 hl oak barrels for at least 30 months

Vintage: medium body vintage with intense mineral and spicy aromas, balanced ripe tannins and elegant finish

Vineyard character: complex and elegant, silky tannins and intense dark fruit on the finish

Longevity: 20 years from the vintage

Vineyards owners: Antona, Arossa, Bianco, Casetta, Lembo, Lignana, Manzone, Vacca, Vezza

Food matches: fresh egg-pasta dishes, risotto, white and red meat, game, venaiso

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Boasting a deep youthful red color and a very complete nose at this early tasting, the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is brooding with dark aromas of ripe cherry, espresso crema, and leather, balanced with brighter highlights of red flowers, dusty earth, and fresh mint. The palate has a good deal of focus on the palate, with ripe and precise acidity, refined tannins, and a long finish. It is an impressive wine that I would encourage readers to seek out. Drink 2025-2050. (Drink between 2025-2050)." - Audrey Frick (May 2025)

97 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is another stellar wine in this range. Dark and explosive, the 2021 possesses notable richness to match its dark, brooding personality. Black cherry, plum, leather, cloves, menthol, licorice and gravel explode onto the palate. The 2020 will require a measure of patience, but it has a ton of potential. (Drink between 2025-2035)." - Antonio Galloni (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"In this vintage, the Rabajà was served last in a series of nine Riservas; that's because it shows the most structure and power over a very defined and sharp mouthfeel. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is streamlined and tight and a wine of enormous energy. The fruit is crunchy and tight with cassis and blackberry. A pretty mineral note defines Rabajà, giving it a chalky or powdery sensations on the close." - Monica Larner (Jan 2025)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"There’s breadth and depth to this red; its broad shoulders carry plum, cherry, licorice, tar, mineral and spice flavors, all backed by a layer of dense, dusty tannins. All of the components are in the right place yet need time to integrate. Best from 2028 through 2045." - Bruce Sanderson (Oct 2025)