The 1997 Rabaja is the finest Cortese Barbaresco I have tasted in over a decade. Aged completely in old foudres, it is a traditionally made Piedmontese exhibiting notes of root vegetables, raspberry and cherry jam, cedar and balsam wood, smoke, and minerals. The wine is full-bodied, powerful yet elegant, supple-textured, and surprisingly deep as well as delineated. Drink this hedonistic as well as intellectually satisfying Barbaresco over the next 10-12 years. A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Dark ruby red. Aromas of plum, prune and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and an opulent, silky-textured finish.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Drink now through 2015. 1,400 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbaresco Select to Add