Wow! Some stunners tonight. Roagna. Gets a little flak on the US boards for skyrocketing prices but Holly-Molly last night I was blown away by the fruit purity of three Barbarescos.
All three wines are from the same vineyard- Paje, an amphitheater that runs down from Barbaresco proper to the Tanaro River.
Luca Roagna Barbaresco Paje 2009- Smokey red and black fruits, light, sweaty oak notes, faint pepper and spice. Excellent delineation, sublime fruit purity on the palate. Great length and an overall refinement. 25-50 yo vines.
93pts+
Luca Roagna Barbaresco Paje Vecchie Viti 2007- From a minimum of 50 yo vines, this has an obviously greater intensity than the 2007 regular. Possibly in part due the vintage though vine age and microclimate a factor too as we move further up the slope of Paje. Again, there a fruit purity standing out with the classic red and black fruit of Barbaresco displaying some feminine muscle. Great length, long, long finish with a tannic grip sitting nicely at the end.
95pts+
Luca Roagna Barbaresco Crichet Paje 2005- I've had the pleasure of standing in Crichet Paje with Luca ( grandson ) before we polished off an early 70's Roagna Barbaresco back at the cellar. Crichet Paje is old vines 70+ years old, at the top of Paje where the higher limestone content of the soil and wonderful aspect generates a WOW factor wine.
The veritable aromatic abyss, darker influenced fruit nuances than the preceding two wines, in multiple shades, lightens toward violets and this magical red fruit scents of nebbiolo emerge. Perfect ripeness throughout, there's a mid-palate intensity lending to pause and savor this micro-parcel of Paje. Perfect balance, very fine finishing. Long road ahead.
98pts+


One of Italy's rarest and most expensive wines ! Crichet Paje

We had some of the great whites of Piedmont with WA black truffles.
Roagna is chardonnay and nebbiolo ! Beuatiful wine, crafted with pine-lime blossom and a gentle intensity on a long length. Gaja's Sav Blanc from the heart of Barbaresco had a distinct grassy spring note of Piedmont. And 2008 Gai & Rey was all class but too young- a great foil for white burgundy when sufficiently aged.