Giuseppe Cortese, Barbaresco Rabaja 2017

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2017 is a classic expression of Nebbiolo from one of Barbaresco’s most revered crus. Sourced exclusively from the famed Rabajà vineyard, this wine marries aromatic finesse with the structure and depth that have made the site legendary among collectors. The 2017 vintage offers a slightly riper, more approachable profile than cooler years, while still retaining the precision and elegance that define Cortese’s style.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the Barbaresco Rabajà 2017 shows a luminous garnet core with brick-red hues toward the rim, typical of traditionally crafted Nebbiolo. The nose opens with pure notes of wild strawberries, ripe red cherries and violets, layered with dried rose petals, hints of licorice, sweet spices and a subtle mineral edge. On the palate, the wine is focused and finely structured, with vibrant acidity and firm yet polished tannins framing the fruit. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry and wild berries are interwoven with notes of tobacco, dried herbs, truffle and underbrush that gain definition with air. The finish is long, savory and persistent, suggesting excellent potential for further development. While already compelling after a good decant, this Barbaresco has the backbone to evolve gracefully for 12–18 years from vintage, gaining complexity as the fruit slowly makes way for more tertiary notes.

Production
Rabajà is one of Barbaresco’s most prized south- to southwest-facing vineyards, with steep slopes and soils rich in calcareous marl and clay that naturally limit yields and enhance concentration. The Nebbiolo grapes for this wine are grown using traditional, sustainable methods and harvested by hand to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy bunches make it to the cellar. After gentle destemming, the must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration to extract color, aroma and tannin in a measured, balanced way. The young wine is then aged for approximately 20–22 months in large Slavonian oak casks, a classic Piemonte approach that respects the purity of the fruit and terroir, followed by additional bottle aging before release.

Food & Serving
This Barbaresco Rabajà 2017 is a superb partner for rich, savory dishes such as braised beef, osso buco, lamb shank, game birds, or veal with truffle. It also shines alongside aged hard cheeses, mushroom risotto, and dishes featuring porcini or black truffle. Serve at around 18 °C, ideally after 1–2 hours in a decanter to allow the bouquet and structure to fully open. In its youth, a longer decant brings out its aromatic nuance; with age, a gentler, shorter aeration is sufficient.

Producer
Giuseppe Cortese is a highly respected, family-run estate in the heart of Barbaresco, long admired for its faithful, traditional interpretation of Nebbiolo. With deep roots in the Rabajà cru, the Cortese family has been instrumental in showcasing this vineyard as one of the finest sites in the appellation, producing wines that are both classically structured and finely detailed. Over the years, the estate has built a strong reputation among Barbaresco enthusiasts and critics alike for its consistent quality, terroir transparency and aging potential, making Giuseppe Cortese a benchmark name in Piemonte’s Barbaresco DOCG.

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