For the last few vintages, the Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico Riserva has been even more structured than the firm’s Montestefano, and the 2021 continues this trend. It’s also incredibly fragrant, delivering scents of camphor, new leather, blood orange, hazelnut and spice while the youthfully nervous palate delivers raspberry, black cherry, star anise, truffle and nutmeg alongside brooding tannins. This has the structure and tannic backbone of a Barolo.

The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico pours a slightly deeper red color than the Ovello and opens with inviting aromas of sweet cedar, cherry liqueur, toasted spice, and polished leather. Medium-bodied, it delivers vibrant acidity, velvety tannins, and a bit more depth and structure on the palate. The finish is long and persistent. Roughly 16,348 bottles and 1,826 magnums were produced. Drink 2028-2050.

The Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is another large-scale Nebbiolo in this ladder of Riserva intensity. The wine shows notable texture and depth with flavors of dark fruit, blackcurrant and dried cherry that unfold steadily across the palate. Subtle notes of spice, cinnamon, licorice and camphor build in the background, adding complexity and dimension. Sourced from 3.9 hectares of vines on calcareous clay soils, Montefico consistently delivers a more structured and powerful expression of Barbaresco, and the 2021 vintage amplifies those qualities. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in large oak botti, this release totals 16,600 bottles.

The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is a tense, vibrant wine. Whereas in most vintages the Montefico can be a touch austere, the 2021 has plenty of energy, but also the textural depth to pull it all together. In that sense, the Montefico is a terrific example of the vintage here. Its concentration and persistence are the stuff dreams are made of. Hints of sage, graphite, chalk and mint explode on the back end. - Antonio Galloni, October 2025

A rich version, offering flavors of black cherry, blackberry, violet, iron and spices, with a line of dense tannins underneath. The fruit builds, yet overall this is reserved and less expressive than its peers despite a deep core of fruit. Shows balance and fine length, but give this time. Best from 2030 through 2048.

Wedged between Ovello and Montestefano, the predominately south-facing Montefico MGA is typically finer-framed and less overtly powerful than those two, yet the surprisingly ample and vigorous 2021 almost turns that on its head. It is still as gorgeously fragrant as ever, showing damp earth, petrichor, mint and raspberry. The tannins are slightly angular but well-padded with crisp, luscious fruit, and there is a sense of effortless balance and controlled strength. A chalky undertow adds to the intrigue, giving penetrating mineral length.

Spicy and aromatic, this is full of wild herbs and strawberries, licorice and mint. Fully focused on freshness yet restrained, showing balsamic and figs. Full-bodied, silky to velvety on the palate due to superripe tannins, with crisp acidity and a tight yet chiseled structure in the finish. Long and warming. March 2026 release. Drink or hold. Aldo Fiordelli Senior Editor