2022 Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja Barbaresco

(95 Points) With all due respect to the estate Barbaresco, the flagship Rabajà bottling rightly boasts greater concentration, density and richer fruit given its mostly southwest exposure and warmer microclimate. At the same time, it retains absolute purity and balance. Limpid scents of raspberry, crushed allspice and mint blossom captivate. The palate demonstrates tension and textural depth with a mineral sensation simmering under the succulent dark berry core. The tannins are ripe but give a properly assertive grip. I remember walking through Rabajà in early October 2022, and the estate was one of the few that still had grapes on the vines. Clearly their decision to wait paid off.  Decanter