Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2020

95+ points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The nose of the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello offers a more woodsy profile, with aromas of pine, leather, black raspberries, sweet floral perfume, and licorice candies. The palate is compact and nervous, with dark mineral accents, refreshing, ripe acidity, and a long finish. It is going to benefit from another couple of years and show its best over the following 10, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve for 15-20 years either. There were 19,425 bottles and 1,954 magnums produced. Drinking Window: 2027-2037. (May 2025)"

95 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Red berry, forest floor, new leather and spice shape the fragrant nose on the fantastic 2020 Ovello Riserva. Showing the structure derived from the cru’s predominately clayey soils, it has a backbone of firm but refined tannins that accompany juicy Marasca cherry, tangerine and spicy notes of star anise. Drink 2027–2032. Abv: 14.5%. (Sep 2024)"

95 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The Ovello vineyard has some northern exposures and generally represents a cooler growing site. You can expect intense fruit flavors and more prominent tannins as a result. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello fits the bill. Vine growth starts much later and usually lasts longer to produce dark intensity and bold aromas in the wines. In the cold years, the tannins can be aggressive, but in the hot years like 2020, they show better balance. This wine offers ferrous notes of iron and rusty nail followed by cherry-driven sweetness. Drink: 2026-2050. (1/30/25)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a massive, packed wine. Graphite, crushed rocks, dried herbs and cedar open first. Ovello tends to produce a more linear style of Barbaresco, and that is very much the case here as well. However, the 2020 also possesses notable depth and layers in the mid-palate. It's a gorgeous wine in the making. Drink: 2025-2035. (Oct 2024)"

95 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$89 list] Aromas and flavors of hay, cherry, raspberry and rose are the hallmarks of this elegant, succulent red. A fine layer of tannins provides lift, and the flavors are well-delineated through the mineral-infused finish. Shows terrific intensity and tension. Best from 2028 through 2045. 1,618 cases made, 400 cases imported. (4/23/25)"

94 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "Ovello is by far Produttori del Barbaresco’s most important cru. Eleven members cultivate 20 hectares on both sides of the ridge – southeast- and southwest-facing. Exposed to the cold air from the north with calcareous soil rich in clay, it typically gives a robust, potently structured expression. While true to its terroir, the 2020 harnesses some of that power making for a harmonious though sturdy whole. Grilled herbs, savoury dark earth, and dense and ripe dark cherry are all held together by well fastened chalky tannins. This is one for the cellar. Drinking Window: 2027-2040. (11/6/24)"

94 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Good full red. Nice freshness to the red fruit and musky notes on the deep nose. Then similar flavours that are still folded onto themselves. Very big monolithic wine and not yet very complex as is usual with Ovello, but nicely seamless; this ought to develop well. Drinking window: 2029-2039. (4/18/25)"