Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva "Montestefano" DOCG 2021
(Piedmont, Italy) - [KO 98] [JD 97+] [VM 97] [JS 96] [WS 96]

About the Winery:
Produttori del Barbaresco exclusively vinifies Nebbiolo grapes from the vineyards owned by the 50 member-growers in within the Barbaresco DOCG appellation.

In any given vintage a Barbaresco and a Nebbiolo Langhe are produced. The former, first released in the 1958 vintage, is made by assembling grapes from different fully grown vineyards. This is the flagship wine of the winery, known all over the world for the solid quality and great value that it represents. The latter, first released in 1975, is made with a selection of grapes from younger vineyards in within the region. It is suited for earlier consumption and it is a great way to introduce one’s palate to the beauty of the Nebbiolo grape and the Barbaresco terroir.

In great vintages only, nine single vineyards are produced and released after four years under the Riserva (Reserve) program. These wines are produced from a selection of grapes sourced from nine historical premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries. Historical vineyards, known for centuries for producing high quality grapes and now worldwide famous also thanks to the Produttori del Barbaresco legacy. Their names are Asili, Montefico, Montestefano, Muncagota, Ovello, Pajè, Pora, Rabajà, Rio Sordo.

First released in 1967, they are vinified and aged with exactly the same style in order to show their different personalities at their best and purest form. A tasting of the nine "Produttori Crus" is therefore an unique experience, just like a walk through the hills of Barbaresco can be!

About the Wine

Variety: 100% Nebbiolo

Vineyard: Montestefano

Vineyard size: 3.9 hectares (9.6 acres)

Vineyard exposure: south / south-east

Soil: calcareous limestone

Vinification: fermentation at 30°c (85°f), 28 days of skin contact time, malolactic completed

Ageing: in 25-50 hl oak barrels for at least 30 months

Vintage: medium body vintage with intense mineral and spicy aromas, balanced ripe tannins and elegant finish

Vineyard character: full bodied, dark and ripe fruit, thick on the palate, powerful finish

Longevity: 20 years from the vintage

Vineyard owners: Gonella, Maffei, Marcarino, Rivella, Rocca, Vacca

Food matches: fresh egg-pasta dishes, risotto, white and red meat, game, venaison

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Kerin O'Keefe:
"The Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Montestefano possesses heady aromas of iris, violet, red berry and spice. Firm and full-bodied, the palate boasts great energy and intensity that lifts ripe Morello cherry, orange peel, cranberry and licorice. It's well balanced, with bright acidity." -Kerin O'Keefe (Sep 2025)

97+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano pours a medium red color and remains somewhat shy at this early stage with notes of black raspberries and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, it has more structure to the tannins and a coiled feel, with refreshing notes of orange citrus and mandarin that suit its firmer frame. Historically, this site was sometimes described as the “Barolo of Barbaresco” for its structure."

97 Points - Vinous:
"The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is a dense, hulking wine. Powerful and dense to the core, the Montestefano is a big, broad-shouldered wine that is going to need a few years to be at its most expressive. Dark-toned fruit, new leather, spice, menthol are all amplified in this potent Barbaresco."

96 Points - James Suckling:
"Youthful on the nose, showing bright, lively aromas of red and dark fruits, leafy lightness, wild strawberries and black cherries with a whiff of blood oranges and earthy, chocolaty depth. The gorgeous full-bodied palate, structured and extracted, has firm, velvety tannins and tense acidity, leading to a balanced, endless, licorice finish. March 2026 release. Drink or hold."

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Black currant, blackberry, violet, tobacco and sweet spices highlight this suave, fruity red. Opulent for the vintage and solidly built, with a long, resonant finish that echoes the fruit and adds iron and mineral notes. Excellent length."