Piedmont · DOCG

Barbaresco DOCG

Barbaresco DOCG is Piedmont Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and a slice of Alba. Gaja, Produttori del Barbaresco and Bruno Giacosa show its signature tension: rose and cherry perfume, firm tannin, bright acidity and a more lifted frame than many Barolo bottlings.

75

Wines

12

Retailers

Sub-zones

BarbarescoDOCG NeiveDOCG San Rocco Seno d'ElvioDOCG TreisoDOCG

Taste & Pairing

Taste Profile

Body 4/5
Tannin 5/5
Acidity 4/5
Sweetness 1/5

Key Flavours

Black pepper Black pepper
Burnt toast Burnt toast
Cherry Cherry
Leather Leather
Liquorice Liquorice
Red forest berries Red forest berries
Rose petal Rose petal
Strawberry Strawberry

Pairs With

Italian Meats Italian meat dishes for wine pairing on a transparent background British Roasts Roasts featured plated dish International Beef & Steak Beef and Steak section featured plated dish

Barbaresco Wine Selection

10 selected wines

Editorial

Barbaresco Vintage Guide

Quality of Barbaresco vintages

5 4 3 2 1
2011 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Unusual warm year, described by Enoteca as majestic and impeccable.
'11
2012 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Structured vintage with broad aromatic complexity and excellent longevity.
'12
2013 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Classic late vintage, important acidity, savoury depth and long ageing resistance.
'13
2014 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Cool difficult North Italy year, but Barbaresco benefited from an excellent September.
'14
2015 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Sumptuous year with excellent tannin quality, robust structure and longevity.
'15
2016 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Balanced season, intense full wines, complex and long-lived.
'16
2017 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Hot dry year with reduced yield, harmonious wines and strong long-term perspective.
'17
2018 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Healthy crop after rain pressure, then heat and dry September gave excellent parameters.
'18
2019 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Classic analytical parameters, strong structure, colour and ageing potential.
'19
2020 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Excellent for ageing, with optimal sugar, acidity and polyphenolic maturity.
'20
2021 ★★★★★
Exceptional · 5/5
Excellent in every respect, ideal autumn diurnal range and rich polyphenols.
'21
2022 ★★★★☆
Very Good · 4/5
Excellent despite heat and drought; September rain helped Nebbiolo ripening.
'22

Chart ratings use Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco denomination-specific annate notes for 2011 to 2022. Recent unreleased or insufficiently charted years are left out.

How Barbaresco is Made

Barbaresco DOCG must be made from 100% Nebbiolo grown inside Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and the San Rocco Seno d'Elvio area of Alba. The corrected CMS row records a minimum of 24 months ageing, including 9 months in oak, with Riserva after 48 months. The Consorzio also recognises Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive, so producers can name delimited areas such as Asili, Rabaja, Martinenga or Montestefano when the wine follows the rules. Large cask ageing remains central for many traditional producers, although cellar choices vary by house.

In-Depth Guide

Barbaresco DOCG is made from 100% Nebbiolo. The denomination does not allow Barbera, Dolcetto or international grapes in the blend.

Barbaresco DOCG must age for at least two years, including nine months in oak. Barbaresco Riserva can be released after four years.

Barbaresco DOCG comes from Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and the San Rocco Seno d'Elvio area of Alba, all in the Langhe hills of Piedmont.

Both are 100% Nebbiolo DOCG wines from the Langhe. Barbaresco is usually more floral and earlier opening, while Barolo often has a broader, more tannic frame.

MGAs are Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive, official additional geographical mentions. Names such as Asili, Rabaja, Martinenga and Montestefano identify delimited Barbaresco areas.

Barbaresco DOCG suits Piedmontese tajarin with truffle, agnolotti del plin, veal, game birds, mushroom dishes and aged cheeses. Its tannin and acidity need savoury depth.

On the table

What to eat with Barbaresco

Curated cuisines, sections and dishes, from the home-country classics to global pairings that work.

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