Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

PRESENTS

Produttori del Barbaresco

Riservas

February 2016

Considered the greatest co-operative in all Italy, the Produttori del Barbaresco formed in 1894 with nine families contributing fruit to the local

Cantine Sociali. It closed during the wars, but opened again in 1958 with 19 local families providing the Nebbiolo grapes.

Today 53 families contribute their entire Nebbiolo crop to ensure the best fruit makes it to the winery where Gianni Testa guides the wine to the bottle. Collectively, they control 16 percent of Barbaresco's vineyards, 80% of their wine carries the Barbaresco DOCG designation, and they produce nine Riservas when the quality of the vintage allows.

The difference is that "Normale" Barbaresco must age for minimally 26 months, 9 of which must be in oak; "Riservas" must age for an additional 24 months before bottling.

"Great Barbarescos can overlay smokey woodland notes on deep sweetness, the flavour of raspberries on leather and spice, leafy lightness on jam-like concentration. Older wines advance to animal or tarry flavours, sometimes suggesting wax or incense, sometimes mushrooms or truffles."

The World Atlas of Wine, Fifth Edition.

We are lucky to have been offered small quantities of four Riservas, and we are taking reservations now. No payment is needed now, expect delivery in approximately 12 weeks. This offer closes on March 11th, 2016.

I hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Chris.

"The wines remain reference-points, though, especially in years when the Produttori make their flagship Riservas....[they] remain some of the greatest values in the realm of fine, cellar-worthy wines"

Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2015

Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 'Muncagota' 2011
$80.95 per bottle, cases of 6
10 cases available

Vinousmedia.com's amazing interactive Barbaresco maps note that this vineyard yields round and supple Barbarescos meant for near and mid-term drinking. The Cru is considered "outstanding". It is composed of limestone and clay which is rich in calcium with sandy veins.

"Soft, caressing and voluptuous, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is the sweetest and most open of these 2011 Riservas. Hard candy, wild flowers, mint and sweet spices meld together in a sensual, inviting Barbaresco that will drink nicely pretty much upon release. The 2011 strikes an attractive middle ground of raciness, texture and structure. As such, it will be one of the best early drinkers in this range. This is a gorgeous Muncagota."

90 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2015

Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 'Pora' 2011
$80.95 per bottle, cases of 6
10 cases available

Pora is located next to the Tanaro River and the warming influence of the river speeds ripening and, as above, produces supple, drinkable Barbarescos that offer plenty of personality.

"The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is sweet, round and sensual. Beautifully layered in the glass, the Pora is absolutely exquisite, with plenty of sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spice notes woven throughout. The Pora is typically the most open of the Produttori's nine Riservas, as it is once again this year. There is so much to like here."

92 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2015

Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 'Montestefano' 2011
$85.95 per bottle, cases of 6
10 cases available

Montestefano, situated further from the river and at higher elevation, grows rich and ample wines with noticeable levels of mid-palate density and tannin - a great wine to lay down in the cellar for decades.

"The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the least expressive of these wines. Inward, powerful and explosive, the 2011 is not in a mood to show much today, that is pretty clear. Still, there is an obvious energy here that is impossible to miss. A firm spine of tannin gives the wine much of its signature power. Dark red cherry, smoke, pomegranate and scorched earth blossom on the dramatic finish. A wine of real density and gravitas, the 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano stands out for its pure, unbridled energy and overall intensity."

94 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2015

Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 'Rio Sordo' 2011
$85.95 per bottle, cases of 6
10 cases available

Rio Sordo is a vineyard that traditionally produces silky, perfumed Barbarescos, but the 2011 vintage produced a brooding version, a great wine for near-term drinking with complexity and those lovely Nebbiolo aromatics.

"The 2011 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is a bit darker and more ample than it usually is, a signature of the year. With time in the glass, the typical soaring floral/spiced Rio Sordo bouquet emerges. Dark, sensual and beautifully expressive, the Rio Sordo is another wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring."

93 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Dec 2015

Chris McLean

direct: 647 955 8872
office: 416 961 2294 x 29