Rizzi
Barbaresco Pajorè – 2019
Region: italy - piedmont
Rizzi
Nestled at the very top of the impressively steep, vine-clad hills of the Treiso zone of Barbaresco, the winery’s vineyards were planted as early as the 1960’s in the white marl, calcareous soil typical of this area. An impressive selection of cru Barbaresci is punctuated by the spectacular Vigna Boito located at the peak of the Rizzi cru. The estate is managed entirely by the Dellapiana family with son Enrico as winemaker and viticulturist. Rizzi Winery participates in “The Green Experience” project which mandates guidelines for environmentally sustainable production.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
The estate’s vineyard Pajorè, one of the historical and renowned Cru of the Langhe hills, not far from the Barbaresco town hall.
- Altitude: 230 – 300 meters
- Exposure: South
- Soils: White marl, clayey-calcareous
- Vines Planted: 1965 – 2008
- Vine Training System: Guyot
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested the 1st ten days of October into small crates
- Fermented 3 – 4 weeks at controlled temperature < 30º C in stainless steel tanks
- Wine racked, then malolactic fermentation for 1 month
- Aged 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels
- Aged 9 months in concrete vats
- Aged in bottle until 3 years after harvest
Winemaker's Notes
The geomorpholigical landforms and southern exposure create amazing wines, and allow for a combination of both harmony and strength, releasing nuances of wild strawberry officinal herbs and clove. Pajorè’s great personality finishes with balsamic and spicy notes.
Wine Summary
100% Nebbiolo; alcohol: 14.5%; historic Pajorè cru at 230 – 300 meters near Barbaresco town hall; grown in white marl, clay-calcareous soils; hand harvested 1st 10 days of October; fermented 3 – 4 weeks under 30ºC and 1 month malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months, then concrete vats for 9 months; aged in bottle to 3 years after harvest.
Technical Information
- 100% Nebbiolo
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.55 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 0.71 g/l
Reviews
97 Points
Love the aromas of wild berry, star anise, leather and meat juices on this full-bodied red. Elegantly structured and delicious, the palate shows succulent red berry, baking spice, crushed mint and a hint of grilled Porcini alongside firm, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. Drink 2025–2034.
Wine Enthusiast, September, 2022
96 Points
A wine completely focused on floral characters such as rose and violet, enhanced by rhubarb and dried cherry. The tight palate with filigreed structure is impressively woven between crisp freshness and chalky tannins. Clean, super-tense and youthful, it’s not quite ready to drink yet. Matured for about 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, then in concrete vats for 6-9 months before bottling. 2023 – 2045
Decanter, January, 2022
17.5 Points
Treiso. Just mid ruby. A gorgeous ripe raspberry nose spiked with minerally notes. Perfumed, sweet and focused raspberry fruit on the palate, beautifully balanced by fresh acidity and coating tannins. Very long and elegant with aromatic depth on the finish. 2022 – 2032
JancisRobinson.com, June, 2022
93 Points
The 2019 Barbaresco Pajoré has a hint of spice that comes across and freshly milled white pepper or dried ginger. Those more-lifted aromas cede to dried rose, violet, earth and blackcurrant. It feels especially silky and smooth on the long finish. This vintage offers special elegance. 2023 – 2036
© Wine Advocate, August, 2022
91 Points
A Barbaresco with lovely berry, walnut, dust and bark aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Round tannins and a fresh finish. More delicate Pajore. Drinkable but better in 2024.
jamessuckling.com, September, 2022
94 Points
The 2019 Barbaresco “Pajoré” from Cascina Rizzi is an utterly complete and captivating young wine. The oldest vines in the Dellapianas’ parcel here were planted in 1965. The vineyard is the most northerly in Treiso in the direction of the township of Barbaresco, sitting just south of the border on a hillside that also includes the Crus of Marcarini and Casot. The 2019 from Cascina Rizzi offers up a stunningly pure and red fruity bouquet of cherries, strawberries, gamebird, rose petals, mustard seed, a gorgeous base of soil, pretty spice tones and a topnote of distant woodsmoke. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a rock solid core of red fruit, great mineral drive and grip, firm, chewy tannins, tangy acids and a long, poised and seamlessly balanced, young finish. This has a bit more mid-palate amplitude than the Rizzi and Nervo this year, coupled with the same exceptional backend energy and lift. 2035 – 2090+
View From The Cellar, November, 2022
General Info
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Appellation(s) | Treiso, Neive, Neviglie |
| Proprietors | Enrico Dellapiana |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Winemaker | Enrico Dellapiana |
| Annual Production | Between 7,500 to 9,000 9L cases |