Opened a couple of hours before service. The 2001 “Rabaja” pours a garnet color with a translucent core and fairly significant rim variation; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated, red fruit: Morello cherry, dried red flowers, truffle, old leather bound books, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and a pleasant blend of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there’s a bit of a Maillard reaction with the fruit showing a touch more stewed. The finish is medium+. Drink now after a couple hours in the decanter but should drink well through 2031.
Opened a couple of hours before service. The 2001 “Rabaja” pours a garnet color with a translucent core and fairly significant rim variation; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated, red fruit: Morello cherry, dried red flowers, truffle, old leather bound books, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and a pleasant blend of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there’s a bit of a Maillard reaction with the fruit showing a touch more stewed. The finish is medium+. Drink now after a couple hours in the decanter but should drink well through 2031.
Jan 20th, 2026
The 2001 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco hit the table and everyone became silent, as they took in its bouquet of roses, dusty earth, sauteed mushroom and dried strawberries. On the palate, I found feminine, lifted textures which seemed to hover on the palate, delivering sweet spice, savory minerals and wild berry fruit with zesty acidity. It finished long with saturating dark red fruits and fine tannin which coated the senses. It's gorgeous tonight with many years of development ahead.
The 2001 Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco hit the table and everyone became silent, as they took in its bouquet of roses, dusty earth, sauteed mushroom and dried strawberries. On the palate, I found feminine, lifted textures which seemed to hover on the palate, delivering sweet spice, savory minerals and wild berry fruit with zesty acidity. It finished long with saturating dark red fruits and fine tannin which coated the senses. It's gorgeous tonight with many years of development ahead.
Feb 12th, 2017
Barbaresco, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
