Rabajà is one of Barbaresco's great MGA sites, a natural amphitheater of calcareous clay sitting southwest above Martinenga, and Vietti farms just under an acre of it, bottled only as Riserva. Intense garnet in the glass, with rosehip and violet over ripe cherry, then tannins that are fully ripe and somehow silky, holding real structure underneath. This is Nebbiolo showing its aristocratic side without raising its voice.
Winemaker Notes
Rabajà represents one of the most important MGA vineyards in Barbaresco. This historic vineyard sits southwest in an amphitheater above Martinenga, in the commune of Barbaresco. Vietti owns just short of one acre of Rabajà, which they produce only a Barbaresco Riserva. It is a return for Vietti, who was producing Rabajà in the 1980s.
Tasting Notes
Intense garnet red color. Floral scents of rosehips and violets and ripe fruits like cherries. Complex with ripe tannins/ Soft & Silky with structure and elegance. Well balanced and refined.
Professional Ratings
95
VinousThe 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is magnificent. A wine of crystalline precision and nuance, the 2020 bristles with energy. Slate, crushed rocks, orange peel, mint, cinnamon and dried flowers all race across the palate. This intensely saline, taut Barbaresco needs a number of years in bottle to be at its best, even if it is pretty alluring right now.
94
Wine SpectatorRose hip, pomegranate, strawberry, hay and eucalyptus aromas and flavors mark this linear, almost tart red. Offset by firm tannins, while the terrific finish leaves layers of flavor and a mouthwatering impression. Approachable now with food but better in a few years. Best from 2027 through 2043.
94
Robert Parker / Wine AdvocateThis plot was purchased in 2019, and this is therefore the second vintage made. The Vietti 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is spicy, juicy and accessible with some sweetness on the tannins. The wine sports Mediterranean warmth from within with black cherry, spice and grilled rosemary. There is a saline-mineral touch as well that adds elegance, but all said in done, this wine is more immediate in delivery. The 2020 vintage is bookended by two superior vintages, the 2019 and 2021. Only 2,152 bottles were made.
About the Producer
Located in the heart of the Langhe hills, at the top of the village of Castiglione Falletto, the Vietti wine cellar was founded in the late 1800's by Carlo Vietti. The estate has gradually grown over time, and today the vineyard holdings include some of the most highly prized terroirs within the Barolo and Barbaresco winegrowing areas. Although they had been making wine for four generations, the turning point came at the end of the 1950's when Luciana Vietti married winemaker and art connoisseur Alfredo Currado, whose intuitions - from the production of one of the first Barolo crus (1961 - Roc…
