This lineup of Paitin wines is exceptional in every way and displays the direction of this brilliant winery. I’ve been a big fan of Paitin going back to the 80s, but since Dante Scaglione – Bruno Giascosa’s vigneron/wnemaker – consulted here a decade ago, the change in direction has set their wines on fire, taking them to the highest level! If you’re a fan of magical Piedmontese wines this is one of the up and coming finest wineries in the region and their 2015 and 2016 Barbaresco’s are utterly captivating.
2018 Paitin, Langhe, Arneis, Elisa (RT90) With a pale-yellow hue, the 2018 Arneis shows a lovely ripe and rich bouquet staying clearly on the optimal ripe side of the equation. Fresh and vibrant with delicious stone fruits and hints of white flowers, this is a tasty Arneis that reflects excellent expression of terroir and will drink well now and over the next 4-5 years. Not intended to be cellared, enjoy this while its fresh and delicious. Drink now-2023
2018 Paitin, Freisa Langhe, Bonina (RT89) Pale translucent and almost rose in hue, notes of cranberry, candied raspberry and a pungent spicy overall character rise from the glass. Light weight in the palate, but with nice fruit concentration and ripeness. Crisp and somewhat angular, light rose petals emerge with time in the glass. A fine refreshing summer sipper that I prefer over Beaujolais or Lambrusco. Serve with a slight chill. Drink now-2023
2018 Paitin, Dolcetto d’Alba, Rivoli (RT91) The fruit for this estate grown dolcetto is from the southwest slopes of the Serra Boella vineyard. Showing a medium ruby hue with a purple tinge, spiced plums, hints of cracked peppercorns, tea and a slice of thin charcuterie leads to a soft and savory mouthfeel with bright acidity and ripe sweet tannins. This has “pair with food” written all over it. A lovely style built on transparency, not power. Drink now-2028+
2018 Paitin, Barbera d’Alba, Serra (RT91) Grown on the east-facing side of the ridge where the Serraboella vineyard is composed of sandy, iron rich soils. Aged for one year in Slavonian Botti. Notes of purple berries, hints of soft new leather and a splash of lilacs and herbs dominate the bouquet. The palate is sumptuous and soft with tasty fruit, refreshing acidity and supple tannins. Nice medium cellaring potential. Drink now-2026+
2016 Paitin, Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Campolive (RT92+) Here lower yields and longer aging in Botti have paid off as this takes a big step up from the Serra in terms of revealing a darker, denser hue, a more pronounced bouquet and more chutzpah on the palate. Notes of masculine dark cherry, red currant and saddle leather lead to a rich, mouth coating palate with refreshing acidity and perfectly ripe tannins. Delicious in every way! Drink now-2028+
2018 Paitin, Nebbiolo Langhe, Starda (RT91) Starda is one of best value Langhe Nebbiolo’s I know of in the market today. Aged for one year in Slavonian Botti, Starda has undergone several elevage changes since it was introduced nearly a decade ago. This vintage is in my opinion the finest Starda yet! An elevated bouquet of zesty strawberry and red raspberry fruit leads to a light, elegant style of Nebbiolo that pairs beautifully with food. Soft acidity and round tannins bring up the finish in a conclusive manner! This is a terrific value! Drink now-2025+
2016 Paitin, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Ca Veja (RT92) Ca Veja translates to “old house” and this vineyard site dates back to the 1500s. Showing a deeper ruby hue than its brethren Starda, Ca Veja reveals a robust, masculine aromatic profile with notes of red cherry, pomegranate, currants and a hint of cinnamon-laced balsam. The balance of fruit, acid and tannin creates a round, delicious character, making this a wonderful wine for enjoying with food or on its own. Baby Barbaresco is all but the name from a stunning vintage! Drink now-2025+
2016 Paitin, Barbaresco, Serraboella (RT93+) The 2016 Serraboella Barbaresco is the finest vintage yet! Aged for 20 months in Slavonian Botti and crafted from young vines currently a quarter century old. With its lifted, penetrating bouquet and delightful mouthfeel, this is a finesse driven style built with elegance. Pure, linear candied red fruit with hints of Morello cherry, spiced raspberry and cedar lead to a beautiful, supple mouthfeel punctuated by perfectly ripe, sweet tannin. Offers perfect midterm cellaring opportunities and available at an amazingly affordable price, this wine outperforms the Produttori del Barbaresco Torre in a measurable way. Very impressive! Drink 2020-2032+
2016 Paitin, Barbaresco, Sori’ Paitin (RT95+) Impressive in all regards, the deeply nuanced 2016 Sori Paitin may be the finest expression of this bottling I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve had it back to the 1980s. Crafted in the transparent style that Dante Scaglione (former winemaker at Bruno Giacosa) brought to this winery with the 2010, this mind blowing wine expresses layers of dark red and black cherry, anise, roses and minerality. The mouthfeel is deep, delicious and coating, centering on perfectly ripe fruit and tannins with magnificent weightlessness. It will age effortlessly for 3 decades or more but is showing so expressively today. Simply superb! Drink 2024-2044+
2007 Paitin, Barbaresco Riserva, Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne (RT93+) The visual impression of this pre-Scaglione wine is one of deeper, darker concentration and in this vintage the wine is dominated by super ripe fruit. Stratification of black cherry, dark berries, sous bois, a hint of goudron and violets leads to a rich, succulent mouthfeel, with tasty fruit and acidity. Come off almost Bussia-like in its presentation. The tannins are soft, supple and ripe, with no drying effect. There is a slight amount of brett on this bottle, not enough to distract from a clear view of what the wine would be without it, but I suspect other bottles won’t show this. Drink now-2032+
2008 Paitin, Barbaresco Riserva, Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne (RT94) A tad bit lighter in hue than the 2007 Vecchie Vigne, the 2008 presents a highly classic style of Barbaresco with a great amount of tension in the fruit and floral aspects on display. Intriguing notes of brooding dark pitted red fruit, sappy cedar, umami and wild herbs lead to a firm, gorgeously structured mouthfeel. A constructive balance of fresh fruit, acid and ripe tannin create a beautifully crafted wine with enormous aging potential. This is a classic vintage is all aspects, lay this one down in the cellar and savor it over the coming couple decades. Drink now-2038+
2015 Paitin, Barbaresco Riserva, Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne (RT96+) Undoubtedly one of the finest vintages of this superb bottling ever produced, the 2015 exemplifies the convincing direction of Paitin since Dante Scaglione consulted here and retooled their winemaking style a decade ago. The focus is extraordinary with an elegant style that to rises to the highest levels of Nebbiolo. Light-to-pale in its ruby garnet hue, soaring notes of lively red cherry and raspberry, freshly picked roses, sweet herbs, pine sap and an accent of minerals create a stunning bouquet. The mouthfeel is exceptionally balanced and refined with pin-point ripe fruit, exhilarating acidity and as perfectly ripe tannins as one can imagine. In a few words, this is mind blowing! Can’t wait to taste the 2016 next year! Drink 2025-2045+
