Barbaresco Pajorè – 2020

The Rizzi 2020 Barbaresco Pajorè shows lots of varietal character within the context of a vintage that was definitely on the warm and sunny side of the weather spectrum. The fruit is a little plumper and softer as a result, yet you still get that thin and elegant framing that is typical of Nebbiolo. The wine’s flavor profile offers redcurrant, violet and licorice root. Pajorè in Treiso also has a pronounced mineral element. Winemaking is the same across most of these wines, with fermentation in stainless steel and 12 months of aging in Slavonian oak casks, followed by eight months in cement and another 10 months in bottle. 2024 – 2038

Treiso. Concentrated mid ruby. Brooding and still closed on the nose, hinting at balsamic cherry fruit. A core of cherry coulis wrapped up in solid but ripe tannins. This truly has lots of everything. Long and perfumed and juicy and with surprising lightness of touch. 2023 – 2036

The nose is sleek with sweet violet, cinnamon, redcurrant and balsam. The attack is firm, extracted and with a full-on mid-palate, then a savoury finish which is elegant and displays refreshing acidity, and a restrained, chocolate aftertaste. A graceful yet powerful Barbaresco for the long haul but also to drink now. Classic handling in the winery, with fermentation at a maximum of 30°C and ageing in big Slavonian oak vessels for 12 months. 2023 – 2040

Red berry, bark, toasted bread and sweet spice aromas on the nose. Succulent and fresh with a medium body and bright acidity. Transparent with redcurrant character and lots of sour cherries towards the delicious finish. Drink now.

As I mentioned last year, the oldest vines in the Dellapianas’ parcel in the Cru of Pajoré 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 which are featured in the portfolio of Enrico Nada. The 2020 Pajoré is also an outstanding young Barbaresco, showing a bit more black fruity shadings than Enrico’s Nervo bottling this year, with the nose wafting from the glass in a complex blend of red and black cherries, spit-roasted gamebird, a fine base of soil, red curry, a touch of oregano, bonfire, a nice touch of brown spices and a topnote of roses. On the palate the wine is pure, full bodied, focused and rock solid at the core, with lovely soil signature and grip, ripe, buried tannins, excellent balance and a very long, refined and complex finish. This too is outstanding Barbaresco in the making! 2035 – 2085