January 2026 Case of the Month

Barbaresco vs Barolo

An educational slant to January’s case of the month with a chance to discover the differences between the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Situated either side of Italy’s famous truffle town Alba, the small villages of Barolo and Barbaresco are a stone’s throw from each other but their expressions of Nebbiolo can taste worlds apart. 

Geographically, Barolo is nearly three times the size of Barbaresco, with vines cultivated on steeper vineyards in cooler climates, leading to higher levels in both tannins and acidity, and hence, the wines being more structured and masculine. In contrast, Barbaresco’s lower lying vineyards with warmer conditions and more consistent daily temperatures gives the Nebbiolo grape a more refined and approachable profile with richer red fruit flavors and a lighter tannic structure, which often lead to more elegant and graceful wines. 

With all the differences characterized by the incredible diversity of vineyard exposure, microclimates, soils and viticultural practices, we think it’s the winemakers and their interpretation of Nebbiolo that’s the most important. Let us know what you think.

The case includes:

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2019

Situated between the Piedmontese towns of Alba and Asti Produttori del Barbaresco is a peerless co-operative that can take a lot of credit for helping the Barbaresco DOCG gain a reputation not far short of its neighbour Barolo. Although famed for their spectacular single-vineyard Barbarescos, it’s their consistently exceptional Barbaresco that has cemented their reputation as being one of the very best producers in the region.

“The 2019 Barbaresco is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next 10 years, give or take. Sweet, floral and open, the 2019 offers lovely brightness and energy to match its mid-weight, nervy feel. Sweet dried cherry, mint, crushed flowers and savory notes all grace this soft, understated Barbaresco from the Produttori.” 91 points, Vinous

Albino Rocca Barbaresco 2021

This relatively new estate for us, Albino Rocca produces gracious, understated Barbarescos that impress with their impeccable balance and concentration, and should be registering on any Barbaresco wine lover’s radar. From the best vintage since the superb 2016, this is a blend of plots of Nebbiolo grapes coming from the youngest Barbaresco vineyards in the family.

“The 2021 Barbaresco is stellar. Floral and savory overtones are beautifully defined in a lifted, chiseled Barbaresco that shows the Albino Rocca house style at its best. Vineyard sites are Meruzzano and Ronchi. A wine of delicacy and understatement, the 2021 is a delight. This is what Barbaresco is all about.” 94 points, Vinous

Paitin Barbaresco Serraboella (bio) 2021

Paitin only makes this cuvée in the best vintages from grapes grown in the oldest Nebbiolo vineyard from the ‘Serraboella cru’. This is a superbly concentrated and structured Barbaresco, with significant tannic backbone and real focus. This is a new producer for us and we’re excited to have a small allocation of these beautiful, traditional wines in our portfolio – they are benchmarks for the Barbaresco region and a treat for any lover of traditional Nebbiolo!

“The 2021 Barbaresco Serraboella shows all the muscle and power of this site in its dark red-toned fruit and incisive tannins. A virile, powerful Barbaresco, the 2021 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. It’s a gorgeous young Barbaresco that marries power and finesse in grand style.” 94 points, Vinous

Giulia Negri Barolo Tartufaia 2020

Since taking over this well-established Barolo estate in 2014 at the tender age of 24, Giulia Negri has been quietly crafting a range of wines that blend delicate floral aromas and elegant fruit with a deep mineral foundation. With fine-grained, tightly knit tannins, her wines are accessible in their youth but have the structure for serious cellaring, and her Barolo ‘Tartufaia’ 2020 is a striking example.

“The 2020 Barolo La Tartufaia offers a bit more textural depth than the other wines in the range. Hints of espresso, macerated wild cherry, dried flowers, herbs, menthol and licorice begin to open gradually. Soft, pliant contours wrap it all together. The Tartufaia is layered and supremely inviting, in a style that plays off its mid-palate resonance nicely.” 92 points, Vinous

Rivetto Barolo Serralunga 2021

Enrico Riveto has slowly and strategically stitched together a lush quilt of an estate over the past 25 years that includes prime vineyard sites in Serralunga and also converting to biodynamics and investing heavily in poly farming as a method to naturally stabilize and enrich his vineyards, in turn allowing it to care for itself more sustainably. The Serralunga vineyard is famed for its powerful, long-lived Barolos, and this is an absolute classic. Aromas of rose petal, cherry and warm spice lead into a precise, structured palate with fine tannins and a mineral edge. The excellent 2021 Barolo vintage brings purity, tension and beautiful fruit definition. A superb, cellar-worthy Barolo from a quietly brilliant estate.

Oddero Barolo Classico 2019

There are few estates in Barolo with as impressive a lineup of vineyard holdings as Oddero from legendary Crus such as Vigna Rionda and Rocche di Castiglione to Brunate, Villero and Bussia. Their ‘Classico’ is a blend of several of these sites producing a pure and expressive style of Barolo that is a terrific introduction to the wines of one of the most historic and traditional Barolo estates.

“The 2019 is medium in body, with captivating inner perfume. Sensual and inviting right out of the gate, with crushed flowers, spice, lavender and rose petals appear later, adding layers of nuance. All the elements are impeccably balanced throughout. What a total delight this is.” 91 points, Vinous