Inviting aromas of toasted hazelnut, violet and ripe forest berry waft out of the glass along with a whiff of leather on this stellar red. Firmly structured and elegant, the savory palate is still young and primary but already shows juicy Morello cherry, cranberry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Vibrant acidity keeps it bright and balanced.

Inviting aromas of toasted hazelnut, violet and ripe forest berry waft out of the glass along with a whiff of leather on this stellar red. Firmly structured and elegant, the savory palate is still young and primary but already shows juicy Morello cherry, cranberry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Vibrant acidity keeps it bright and balanced.

The 2019 Barbaresco Cottá is stellar. This is the first year the Cottá was vinified in oak (as opposed to steel), with about ten days of submerged cap maceration at the end. It offers up an exciting mélange of dark cherry, plum, spice, cedar, tobacco, incense and mocha that build into the heady, explosive finish. Medium in body, with striking depth, the Cottá is superb.