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The Produttori is Barbaresco’s benchmark producer. A huge share of the village’s best farmers, representing virtually all of its best terroirs, bring their fruit to the co-op. It is hard to be admitted to the co-op. There is a waiting list; only a few make it.
Once you are in, the rules are strict. You don’t get to hold back any wine for your own labels. This isn’t a region where growers ship off their second best to the co-op and put their pride and joy in their own luxury bottles. You have to meet strict quality controls, of course. The Produttori is only devoted to quality-minded farmers with incredible terroir giving their all.
The winemaking is likewise next level. Aldo Vacca, the co-op’s general manager, is one of the wine world’s greatest artists. If you ever have the opportunity to meet and taste with him, take it; he is also one of the wine world’s great communicators.
Professional Reviews
Antonio Galloni
AG
93
"Good medium red. Raspberry, redcurrant, herbs and spices on the nose, complicated by vanilla and hints of apple and citrus fruits. Utterly silky-smooth yet lively on entry, then juicy and pure in the middle, with lovely spicy lift to the red fruit flavors. Not at all outsized for this bottling but offers an explosion of flavor. The velvety, rising finish leaves the mouth feeling refreshed. This beauty is a bit less dominated by its tannins today than the Muncagota and should offer earlier enjoyment. But it also has the stuffing to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle."
Robert Parker
RP
95
"The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is exquisite and harmonious from start to finish. Among the more structured 2008s, the Montestefano is the wine that most hides its tannin, as the fruit is intensely perfumed, rich and totally seductive. Today the Montestefano provides the illusion of being relatively accessible, but it is virtually certain to shut down in bottle. The 2008 boasts striking aromatics, seemingly endless layers of fruit and power to burn. Readers can think of the Montestefano as a synthesis of Montefico, Ovello and Rabaja. Not bad, to say the least."
Wine Spectator
WS
91
"This red is all structure, needing air to reveal its ripe cherry, plum, leather and tobacco flavors. The tannins are dense, yet this is long and satisfying on the finish."
Details
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Vintage
2008
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Size
750ml