Barbaresco 'Starderi'

Score

95

"The 2015 Barbaresco Starderi Vürsù is a wine of towering stature, girth and power. The wine's tannic presence is very evident, and that undeniable structure is broad and underlying. I would suggest putting this bottle aside for at least five more years before popping the cork. The beauty here is that the tannins are integrated and never astringent. Instead, they act like a corset that ties the wine together in all the right places."

Score

95

"The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi rounds out this series of Barbarescos from La Spinetta in grand style. I don't think the Starderi has ever been so elegant or refined as it is in 2015. Medium in body and translucent, the 2015 possesses remarkable purity and nuance in its red-toned fruit and floral aromatics. The oak needs time to fully integrate, but readers should not be planning on opening bottles anytime soon, as the youthful tannins are also imposing. Bright citrus and floral notes add the closing flourishes."

Score

93

"Loads of juicy fruit on the nose, with raspberries, spices, and hints of mulberries and plums. Full bodied and round, with soft tannins and a dried berry flavor. This is decadent and fascinating. Pull the cork in 2014. Find the wine"

Score

94

"The 2007 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi bursts from the glass with red berries, sweet spices, roses and mint, all of which come together on a powerful, richly structured frame that is the hallmark of Barbareschi from Neive. The Starderi is the most tannic of the estate’s 2007s but it is a wine with significant promise and a long road ahead of very fine drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. This is a beautiful set of 2007 Barbareschi from La Spinetta. With one exception the wines show the trademark open sensual quality of the vintage but with less overt oakiness than has sometimes been the case. In short, readers who appreciate sensual full-bodied Nebbiolo will find much to admire here."

Score

93

"A big-boned Barbaresco, this is a bit gangly at first, settling into raspberry, cherry, floral and a hint of tar flavors. Muscular and tannic, contradicting the notion that Barbaresco is lighter than Barolo. Fine length and ripe tannins. Best from 2013 through 2026. 580 cases made."

Score

94

"The 2007 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi bursts from the glass with red berries, sweet spices, roses and mint, all of which come together on a powerful, richly structured frame that is the hallmark of Barbarechi from Neive. The Starderi is the most tannic of the estate's 2007s but it is a wine with significant promise and a long road ahead of very fine drinking."

Score

93

"The 2006 Barbaresco Starderi is easily the best of these three offerings, as the wine’s balance is exceptional. Aromatics, fruit and structure are all woven together in an impressive display of power and elegance. The fruit retains the house’s characteristic super-ripe style, but that element is more finely tuned here than in the estate’s other Barbarescos. Simply put, the 2006 is another terrific Starderi from proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and his team. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024."

Score

93

"Wonderfully floral, with cream and berry aromas. Full-bodied, with round, chewy tannins and lots of fruit. Generous and rich for the vintage. Best after 2012. 1,200 cases made, 540 cases imported. "

Score

93

"The 2006 Barbaresco Starderi is easily the best of these three offerings, as the wine's balance is exceptional. Aromatics, fruit and structure are all woven together in an impressive display of power and elegance. The fruit retains the house's characteristic super-ripe style, but that element is more finely tuned here than in the estate's other Barbarescos. Simply put, the 2006 is another terrific Starderi from proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and his team."