Paitin Starda Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Paitin was already one of only a handful of top Barbaresco producers in the region, crafting stunning age-worthy Nebbiolos before the brothers, Giovanni and Silvano began a revolution of the property.

They built a new winery and cellar, returned to making Nebbiolo the traditional way, but their biggest move was bringing in Dante Scaglione in 2010 – fresh off a 16-year stint at the helm of Bruno Giacosa. Lucky for us, he didn’t bring along the three hundred dollar price tags, just his insane standards for quality.

Perhaps his most important project was crafting the wines off of one of the most revered vineyards in Barbaresco – the famed Serraboella Cru – of which the Paitins own 10 hectares. From those very special 10 hectares – the top Nebbiolo parcels were selected each year for their infamous Sori Paitin Barbersco.

And prior to Dante’s arrival, the remaining parcels were blended with wine from the famed Ca Veja vineyard in Alba. However, that all changed in 2013 when they finally realized what they were just blending away.

While the parcels selected for Sori Paitin produce Nebbiolo that most consider more like a fine, brooding Barolo, the much lighter Starda from the remaining parcels is a stunning example of the diversity of Nebbiolo but meant to be enjoyed within a half dozen or so years of release.

Vinous gave it 91 points and the write up is fairly accurate: “… the 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Starda is effusive in its aromatics and nervy in feel. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint and dried red cherry are all beautifully lifted. The 2020 spent nine months in cask. It should be stellar with a few more months in bottle. It is already pretty delicious.”