Albino Rocca Barbaresco Cotta 2017

This is just the third release of Rocca’s Barbaresco Cottà (from Neive), although Cottà was in fact one of the first sites in Barbaresco to be produced as a single vineyard. The Roccas work with a micro-parcel of 50-year-old vines sited in the middle of the southwest-facing slope, adjacent to their Gepin (Barbera) parcel, directly facing the Ronchi vineyard. It is a tiny holding, producing no more than 2,000 bottles. The sand-rich, clay/marl soils and warmer microclimate produce generous yet fine wines that marry beautifully with Rocca’s elegant interpretation of Nebbiolo. The 2017 was raised in a single 15-hectolitre Austrian (Stockinger) cask. It’s a superb Barbaresco, as the notes make clear, with impressive perfume and depth on the palate.

“One of the highlights in this range, the 2017 Barbaresco Cottà possesses tremendous depth along with the sheer breadth that is the key signature of this Neive cru. Black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, mint and lavender soar out of the glass, all with the backing of serious tannins that are going to need time to soften. This is impressive stuff.” 95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“Very pretty and balanced with ripe-strawberry, citrus and cedar aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with polish and refinement for the vintage.” 95 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com