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Reserva, Barbaresco.
WNLQ9 vintage signal, averaged from Wine Enthusiast Wine Vintage Chart 2026 Edition's 2 closely-agreeing Piedmont 2013 ratings (Piedmont Barbaresco; Piedmont Barolo).
A vintage grade rates the growing season in this wine’s region — not this specific bottle. Source.
Researched by our team from producer and independent sources — not supplied by the seller.
This is 100% nebbiolo from the Cortese family's holding in Rabajà, one of the historic crus of Barbaresco in Piedmont, on stratified limestone-and-clay soils with a south to south-westerly exposure at roughly 235–315 metres above sea level. The Riserva is made only in the best, classic years.
It ferments for around 35 days in stainless steel and old cement tanks, then matures for 40 months in Slavonian oak casks of 17 to 25 hectolitres, followed by a minimum of three years in bottle before release. The producer describes the result as having considerable structure, elegance and great capacity for evolution, reaching the highest expression of nebbiolo in complexity and longevity.
The winery was founded in 1971 by Giuseppe Cortese, at a time when few people believed in Barbaresco's potential, with the encouragement of his father Giacomo and the support of his wife Rosella. The Rabajà cru in the commune of Barbaresco remains at the centre of the estate.
The property is now run by the next generation — Pier Carlo, who describes the Barbarescos as coming from spontaneous fermentations in old cement containers and ageing in old Slavonian oak barrels, alongside Gabriele, who leads the estate's work in the market, and Tiziana, who looks after hospitality.
Slow-braised beef short rib with star anise and cinnamon
Long cask ageing has resolved the tannins into a firm but savoury frame; braised beef collagen softens them further, and the warm spices echo the wine's cinnamon and tobacco register.
Wild mushroom and truffle risotto
Aged nebbiolo develops earthy, forest-floor and dried-leaf notes that meet mushroom and truffle on the same savoury wavelength, while the wine's acidity cuts the starch and butter.
Aged hard cheeses with walnuts
The salt and crystalline texture of a well-aged cow's-milk cheese buffers nebbiolo's structure, and the nuttiness picks up the wine's cocoa and dried-fruit tones.
Product information compiled from producer, importer and reference sources.
Elegant Nebbiolo Riserva from Barbaresco's Rabaja vineyard; structured, mineral-driven, age-worthy.
Giuseppe Cortese's Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is a classically structured Nebbiolo from one of Piedmont's most prestigious terroirs. The 2013 vintage displays the hallmark elegance of Barbaresco: refined red fruit aromatics layered with rose petal and mineral tension, supported by firm, silky tannins and bright acidity.
Secondary notes of tar and licorice emerge mid-palate, while tertiary leather and tobacco complexity develops with bottle age. This is a wine built for the table—pair with grilled lamb, game, or aged cheeses—and for the cellar, where it will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 15–20 years.
** Vintage may change — please confirm with our team.
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