Giuseppe Cortese, Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva 2008

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva 2008 is a benchmark example of classic Barbaresco from one of the appellation’s most revered crus. Combining the power of Rabajà’s steep, sun‑favoured slopes with Cortese’s traditional craftsmanship, this is Nebbiolo at its most refined and ageworthy. From a cool, long growing season in 2008, it marries intensity, aromatic depth and poise in a beautifully mature expression.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2008 Rabajà Riserva shows a deep garnet core with evolving brick‑tinged rim, a clear sign of graceful bottle age. The nose is complex and layered, opening with ripe sour cherries and dried red berries, followed by rose petals, violets, leather, tobacco, anise and licorice. Subtle tones of dried herbs, forest floor and a gentle balsamic lift add further nuance with time in the glass. On the palate, this is a full‑bodied yet finely etched Barbaresco, carrying a silk‑textured mouthfeel supported by vibrant, fresh acidity. The tannins are firm but beautifully resolved, giving structure without harshness. Flavours echo the nose: macerated cherry, dried plum and orange peel interlace with savory notes of truffle, tobacco, spice and earthy minerality. The finish is long, dry and precise, with hints of balsamico, dried flowers and dried fruit that underline its serious aging pedigree. Already drinking wonderfully with proper aeration, it is still on an upward plateau and can continue to develop more tertiary nuance over the coming decade.

Production
Rabajà is one of Barbaresco’s most esteemed crus, sitting in the heart of the zone on southwest‑facing slopes with calcareous marl soils that are ideal for Nebbiolo. These poor, limestone‑rich soils naturally limit yields and encourage depth, tension and aromatic detail in the fruit. Grapes for the Riserva are carefully selected and harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, a crucial step in a cooler, long growing season such as 2008. In the cellar, Giuseppe Cortese follows a resolutely traditional approach: extended maceration with long skin contact to extract fine tannins and complexity, followed by around 36 months of maturation in large Slavonian oak casks. This slow, oxidative élevage respects the character of the vineyard, allowing the wine’s structure, perfume and mineral signature to emerge without being dominated by new oak.

Food & Serving
This Barbaresco Rabajà Riserva is a natural partner for rich, savoury dishes and the cuisine of Piemonte. Think tajarin with white truffle, braised veal or beef, ossobuco, roasted game birds, lamb shoulder, or aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano and mature Pecorino. It will also shine alongside mushroom‑based dishes, wild boar ragù or earthy risottos. Serve at 16–18 °C and decant for 2–3 hours before serving to fully awaken the wine’s aromatic complexity and soften the tannins. Use large Burgundy or Nebbiolo glasses to give the wine space to open up.

Producer
The Cortese family has been tending vines in Barbaresco for generations, with the modern estate founded by Giuseppe Cortese and now recognized as one of the key traditionalists in the region. Based in the hamlet of Rabajà, the winery has become closely associated with this legendary cru, crafting wines that are deeply rooted in place and consistently admired for their authenticity and longevity. By remaining faithful to classic methods—long macerations, large neutral oak and careful vineyard work—Giuseppe Cortese has earned a reputation among Piemonte enthusiasts as a reference point for pure, terroir‑driven Barbaresco, with Rabajà Riserva standing at the pinnacle of the estate’s production.

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