2016 Barbaresco Pajé Riserva Produttori del Barbaresco

The 2016 Barbaresco Pajè opens with deeply pitched spice notes that are so alluring. Pliant and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2016 possesses tremendous density and brawn. Blue/purplish fruit, cloves, lavender and menthol infuse this rich, hedonistic Barbaresco with tons of character. The tannins are present, but they are nearly buried by the sheer density of the fruit. In a word: impressive.

The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè (with only 6,423 bottles released) shows contoured lines and elegant sharpness, with cherry and cassis that segue to smoke, tar and licorice. This wine is beautifully pristine and targeted in terms of its aromatic delivery. Nothing falls by the wayside. That neat, tucked-in personality also distinguishes the wine in terms of mouthfeel, with firm structure, tannins and taut fruit tension. Pajè shows exceptionally well in this vintage. The Basso and Giordano family vineyards supply the fruit in this Riserva.

Produttoris parceller ligger specielt i den sydvestvendte del Pajés semi-amfiteater og har en åben ”flanke” ned mod Tànaro-floden, hvor moderat fugtig vestenvind trænger op igennem. Alt, hvad jeg ønsker af en barbaresco er her. Klarhed, strålerigdom, åbenhed og kompakthed på samme tid. Medicinske urter, tørrede ribs, malurt og tagpap, redwood, mesterlig syre, der snos med langstrænget tannin og frugtte. Vidunderlig friskhed – og ja, det kommer jeg til at gentage.