The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is a big, dark wine loaded with dark fruit, menthol, tar, flowers, mint, rosemary and an array of balsamic notes that develop in the glass. The Rabaja posseses stunning depth to match its muscular tannins. It is a dazzling wine endowed with tons of inner perfume and sheer personality as it saturates the palate from start to finish. Today, the Rabaja comes across as huge and almost Barolo like, but it has plenty of Rabaja character. Purists will want to age the wine for a number of years to allow the baby fruit to drop off, but the truth is it is pretty stunning even today.

Good full red. Reticent but very pure nose opens to reveal cherry, plum, spices, mocha and smoke. Broad, concentrated and deep but very young and inexpressive today. This seriously thick, layered Barbaresco displays very good definition and finishes with excellent length and energy.