Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva 2017 (750ML)

96 WA / 95 WE / 93+ VM / 93 WS / 93 WI

The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. There were 14,486 bottles produced.--Monica Larner

New leather, camphor, cedar and dark spice aromas form the subtle but compelling nose. On the firmly structured palate, tightly knit, noble tannins support fleshy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry star anise and baking spice. Drink through 2029. - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast

The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is a potent, savory wine. Today, the fruit is very much in the background. A brooding, backward Barbaresco, the Montestefano clearly needs time, it is a somber, imposing Barbaresco. Dark plum, earthiness, cloves, menthol and licorice infuse the finish with notable gravitas. There's plenty of Montestefano breadth and resonance. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Dense and rich, if on the austere side now, courtesy of burly tannins, with black cherry, plum, tar and mineral serving as the main flavor themes. Reveals terrific energy and length, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2027 through 2045. —B.S., Wine Spectator

The 2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva shows spicy dark fruit with some cream, oak and a heavy perfumed qualty underneath. There is plenty of spicy, dark fruit flavors which are not fully revealing themselves yet and also, green fresh herb note. On the palate there are plenty of silty tannins, a velvety texture in the middle and bright, cleansing acidity on the finish. The aromas and flavors feel reserved at the moment and need more time to express themselves. Wait 2-3 years and drink up to 15 to 20 years. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent