PRODUTTORI DEL BARARESCO
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY:
Produttori del Barbaresco is one of those producers we live to bring you, delivering single-vineyard wines of astounding depth and site-specificity for a remarkable price — like this excellent quartet from a great 2020, led by the 97-point Montestefano that Antonio Galloni of Vinous crowned the wine of the vintage, in which every bottle is under $85. We wish we had more than 30 of each to bring you, but that’s the allocation — so hop on this STAT, folks, these treasures won't last.
THE PEDIGREE:
The brilliance of Produttori, one of the few true collectives in the wine world, is that they've maintained extraordinary consistency in a region where vintage variation challenges lesser producers, creating wines of profound character and age-worthiness that represent some of the most serious values in the wine world today. As Sheldon Wasserman, the late critic and an authority on Italian wine, declared: "There are a few producers making Barbaresco in the same class as the wines of the Produttori, but none who surpasses them."
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Galloni awarded the Montestefano 97 points, declaring: "If I could have only one of the Riservas in 2020, this would be it!" He praised its "elegant, polished, refined" character, noting how "bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and cedar are beautifully lifted.” In her evaluation of the 96+ Montefico, Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate deemed it one of the "standouts from the 2020 vintage," describing it as "structured and rich" with a pleasing "softness" on the palate and highlighting its "active limestone soils." Larner also awarded the Ovello 95 points, praising its "dark intensity and bold aromas" with "good balance.”
OUR TASTING NOTES:
Having tasted these wines side by side, we were struck, again and again, by how brilliantly they showcase Barbaresco's soul while maintaining their distinct personalities. The Montestefano stunned us into silence — it's a tour de force of precision where blood orange and bright red fruits dance with spice and mint, all carried on tannins so polished it was hard to believe it was a young wine. The Montefico speaks in a different register altogether, its limestone foundation evident in that vibrant mineral tension that keeps the fruit in perfect check — we found ourselves returning to this glass again and again, finding new nuances and grace notes each time. Ovello's brooding intensity makes no apologies for its serious nature; it unfurls slowly and seriously with its notes of deep dark cherry and undercurrent of iron. And finally, but not last, we come to Pora, which seduces immediately with its generous warmth and perfume, those cherry and dried flower notes wrapping around you like a silk scarf — the most immediately charming of the quartet. Four expressions, one extraordinary producer.
THE STORY:
Founded in 1958 amid tremendous post-war poverty, the Produttori began when a parish priest gathered 19 struggling growers to make wine collectively. That desperate act evolved into one of wine's great success stories, now encompassing 51 families controlling over 100 hectares of premium Nebbiolo vineyards throughout Barbaresco. Their philosophy is elegantly captured in their tagline: "Just one grape: Nebbiolo. Just one wine: Barbaresco. Excellence in simplicity.” Each family maintains control of their land while contributing their finest fruit to the collective. In exceptional vintages like 2020, they separate nine classic sites for individual bottling, creating definitive expressions of Barbaresco's varied terroirs. Since introducing these single-vineyard bottlings in 1967, the Produttori's Riservas have become the benchmark for Barbaresco, distinguished by their traditional methods: 18 to 21-day primary fermentations and up to three years in botti grande. Despite widespread respect among insiders, Produttori long remained overshadowed by more glamorous names in the American market. Only recently, via the championing of a few critics, Galloni included, has it begun receiving its much-deserved recognition.
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
The four vineyards in this offering showcase Barbaresco's diversity. Montestefano, Ovello, and Montefico belong to the northernmost hills, with higher clay content yielding wines of rich, earthy character. Montefico's active limestone soils contribute exceptional mineral expression. Pora sits on the southern slope alongside Asili and Rabajà, typically producing more elegant, approachable wines that still age beautifully.
FUN FACT:
While cooperatives typically signal quantity over quality, Produttori stands as a rare exception. Many prestigious Barbaresco families could command higher prices under their own labels yet continue to contribute their finest fruit to the collective.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we source our wines directly from the estate, to ensure perfect provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in CA, MA, NJ & TX. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, April 21st, 2025.