Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pajé Riserva 2020

The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Paje is a classic wine from this site. Deeply spiced and balsamic notes meld into a core of dark, sepia-toned Nebbiolo fruit. A Barbaresco of real presence and substance, the Paje makes itself felt. It's one of my early dark horse favorites in this range from Produttori del Barbaresco.

This is all about power and structure, with cherry, blackberry, earth, wild herb and tar flavors buoyed by a dense matrix of tannins. The fruit is there, peeking through the maze briefly before the tannins take hold on the finish; never obtrusive, they drive the lingering finish. Best from 2029 through 2045. 1,111 cases made, 223 cases imported.

The Pajè vineyard faces the Tanaro River and is tucked at back of a narrow theater of vines. The site is often characterized by a floral note of rose and violet that comes thought nicely in the Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè. With those sweet floral notes comes an open-knit mouthfeel and a more immediate drinking style with soft, silky tannins. In fact, this was the second of nine wines served in a flight that started with the lightest Riservas and ended with the most powerful wines.