Drink Window: 2026 - 2050
95 Points Wine Spectator
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.
95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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 Date: 2026 - 2050
95 Points 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.
95 Points Wine Enthusiast
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.
Winemaker Notes
From the prestigious Produttori del Barbaresco comes the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva “Ovello,” a wine that embodies the strength and refinement of this iconic region. The Ovello vineyard, one of the top crus in Barbaresco, produces wines of exceptional complexity and aging potential. This Riserva, crafted with care and precision, is a true testament to the estate’s commitment to showcasing Barbaresco’s finest terroirs.
The 2020 vintage is a wine of great depth, with ripe red fruit—cherry, raspberry—at its core, layered with earthy undertones, floral notes, and a touch of spice. The tannins are firm and well-integrated, providing a solid backbone while maintaining the elegance that defines Barbaresco. The wine’s acidity is perfectly balanced, adding brightness and freshness to the rich, textured mouthfeel. It’s a wine that will evolve beautifully with time, revealing more nuance and complexity as it ages.
Food Pairings
This Barbaresco Riserva is a wine meant for slow sipping, ideal for pairing with hearty dishes like braised meats, truffle pasta, or aged cheeses. For collectors and lovers of Nebbiolo, the 2020 “Ovello” offers a perfect opportunity to experience the power and grace of Barbaresco, both in its youthful state and as it ages into something even more remarkable.
Ovello Vineyard - "The Tomboy"
Ovello is the northernmost vineyard in the village of Barbaresco, higher on the sea level and dropping down to the river in a 300 feet, abrupt bluff.
It is a relatively large area with a number of subzones with West and East exposure, all sharing a similar calcareous soils rich in clay. The extra clay and the cooler microclimate give the Ovello its exuberant and youthful quality in the fruit and its fuller body, which defines its distinctive personality. Explosive fruit on the palate and firm, sometime rough, tannins on the finish, these wines always bring a lot of joy to the palate and deliver powerful structure, that needs some years of bottle ageing to balance out. Domizio Cavazza had vineyards in Ovello (and Pora) when he started producing Barbaresco in 1894. It was also among the first 5 vineyards produced as single vineyard by Produttori in 1967.
