Bruno Rocca : Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 2021

Characteristics and tasting notes of Bruno Rocca's Barbaresco Riserva "Rabajà" 2021

Tasting

Colour
This Italian red wine reveals an intense ruby hue with garnet reflections, evolving towards orange nuances at the edges of the glass.

Nose
Complex and deep, the bouquet opens with aromas of black fruits such as blackberry, blueberry and plum. With aeration, it reveals notes of sweet tobacco, violet, rose and liquorice, underlined by a chalky minerality and subtle touches of dried herbs.

Palate
Full-bodied and structured, the palate offers lovely freshness from the very first sip. The tannins, both firm and refined, integrate perfectly with a precise acidity. The long, persistent finish unfolds flavours of black cherry, graphite, leather and incense.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with slow-cooked red meats, such as braised beef, lamb or wild boar. It also wonderfully accompanies roasted feathered game, mushroom or truffle risottos, as well as meat-filled pasta. As for cheeses, aged or blue cheeses will highlight its structure beautifully.

Service and storage

Boasting great aging potential, this Barbaresco Riserva "Rabajà" 2021 can be enjoyed from 2031 and will continue to evolve favourably until around 2041.

The quintessence of Barbaresco's terroir by Bruno Rocca

The estate

Located in Piedmont, Italy, the Bruno Rocca estate was officially founded in 1978, although the family's agricultural history dates back to 1834. Today, Bruno Rocca still runs the estate, supported by his children Francesco and Luisa. The vineyard spans 15 hectares and is managed according to organic farming principles, with a strong commitment to preserving biodiversity. The estate stands out for its artisanal approach and its philosophy centred on quality and the pure expression of its terroirs, establishing itself as an essential reference within its appellation.

The vineyard

The grapes for this cuvée come exclusively from the renowned Rabajà cru, situated on the heights of the village of Barbaresco. The estate cultivates around 3.5 hectares of 55-year-old vines here, planted between 1964 and 1978. Rising between 240 and 300 metres in altitude, this terroir benefits from an ideal southwest exposure. The soils consist of layers of calcium-rich limestone and clay, mixed with white and grey-blue tuffaceous marls, offering perfect conditions for the ripening of the berries.

The vintage

The year 2021 began with a mild and rainy winter, marked by some snowfall, allowing good water reserves to build up. After a spring frost episode with limited consequences, April and May brought warm and sunny weather. Favourable conditions continued through June and July, despite a few sporadic summer hailstorms. An ideal August then allowed the berries to reach optimal phenolic ripeness, resulting in a harvest of exceptional quality.

Winemaking and aging

The vinification of the Barbaresco Riserva "Rabajà" 2021 begins with a spontaneous fermentation in wooden vats using indigenous yeasts, lasting 25 to 30 days. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in wooden barrels. Aging continues for 24 to 36 months in carefully selected French oak barrels. Finally, the wine rests for a further 24 months in bottle before release.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo