The mysterious Nebbiolo Rose is now bottled by exactly one producer in the world: Cascina Baricchi.

Historically, this clone/cousin was known for its exquisite perfume, tender texture and luminous color. High-end Nebbiolo complexity with a gentle friendliness one might more reasonably expect from the Cote d’Or.

This is such a gem of Piedmont, it creates such anxiety in me. When Baricchi eventually stops making this, it’ll be gone. 100+ year old vines of an extinct variety…it doesn’t make you want to wait around. You act.

I was tasting this wine last night and spit some out to evaluate some other wines. Later (don’t judge), I smelled the spit bucket and I was momentarily struck by the urge to drink it. THAT’S HOW GOOD THIS WINE SMELLS. No, I didn’t drink the spit. But I hope you understand.

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The Rose delle Casasse is likely, the only Barbaresco made from Nebbiolo Rose. Some believe Nebbiolo Rose to be a clone of Nebbiolo though in Ian d'Agata's book, "The Grapes of Italy," he writes that it has been proven that Nebbiolo Rose is genetically different than Nebbiolo, though related.

96 (JD)

Description

Medium red with a garnet hue, the 2018 Barbaresco Riserva Rose Delle Casasse is an exemplary wine from this vintage, with pure and inviting notes of raspberry, rocky earth, dried roses, and fresh tangerine. The palate is elegant and pure, featuring fine tannins and fantastic purity and clarity, with a long finish and a haunting floral perfume lingering after the wine is gone. It’s a bottle that would disappear quickly at my table. Drink 2026-2046.

Publication

Vinous

Rating

93

Description

The 2018 Barbaresco Riserva Rose delle Casasse offers lovely density and plenty of character. There's gorgeous depth in the mid-palate. Light fading at the edges and slight mature notes in the bouquet lead me to believe the 2018 will likely be more of a medium-term drinker, its notable presence notwithstanding. Tobacco, dried herbs, mint, leather, cinnamon and dried autumn leaves all develop with a bit of aeration. The 2018 is a gorgeous wine whose only shortcoming is that it tastes a bit older than it should.

Publication

View from the Cellar - John Gilman

Rating

95