I always look forward to tasting the wines of Bruno Rocca and his family because they are always so expressive of vintage and territory. The 2018 Barbaresco gives us quite a few blanket descriptors that can be applied to the 2018 growing season. The wine is ethereal and delicate with cool-climate freshness, wild berry, fragolino di bosco and rose hip. There is a transparent and honest quality to the fruit that leaves plenty of room for those background tones of crushed limestone or white rock. To the palate, this Barbaresco is extremely fine and polished. About 14,000 bottles were released. - ML

This Barbaresco seems to epitomise the 2018 vintage: tantalising aromas of fresh cranberry, violet, rose petal and whiffs of tar lead to a soft attack full of delicacy, freshly fruited and wrapped up in sweet, crunchy tannins and vibrant acidity. It's not particularly concentrated or built for the long haul, but its balance and stylish character make it one of the most authentic representations of the vintage in Barbaresco. (Drink between 2021-2030)