Vietti
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
2020
From 273 EUR from 2 retailers
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà captures the distinctive character of one of Barbaresco's recognised vineyard sites. Made exclusively from Nebbiolo grown on the limestone-rich slopes of Rabajà, this single-vineyard Riserva combines delicate floral aromatics, ripe cherry fruit and beautifully integrated tannins.
Country
Italy
Region
Barolo/Barbaresco - Barolo/Barbaresco
Number of retailers: 2
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Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
2020
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Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
2020
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Producer
Vietti is a historic and highly respected producer of Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG, celebrated for its meticulous single-vineyard interpretations of Nebbiolo. Based in Castiglione Falletto in the heart of Piedmont's Langhe hills, the estate has been under Krause family ownership since 2016, following generations of family stewardship by the Vietti and Currado families. Its wines combine aromatic refinement, structural elegance and the depth required for long-term cellaring.
Quick Facts
- Location: Castiglione Falletto, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
- Founded: Late 19th century
- Classification: Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG
- Ownership: Krause family, since 2016
- Previous stewardship: Vietti and Currado families
- Principal grape: Nebbiolo
- Other varieties: Barbera, Arneis
- Signature wines: Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo Lazzarito, Barolo Ravera
- Soils: Calcareous marl with varying proportions of sand and clay
- Vineyards: Multiple cru holdings across Barolo and Barbaresco zones
- Style: Precise, balanced and built for extended ageing
- Winemaking: Extended maceration and maturation in large oak casks
A Pioneering Estate in Castiglione Falletto
Vietti was established in the late 19th century in Castiglione Falletto, one of Barolo's most acclaimed communes. The estate gained prominence under the leadership of Alfredo Currado, who joined the family in the 1960s and became a defining figure in modern Piedmontese winemaking. Currado was among the first producers to bottle single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco, emphasising the distinctive character of individual crus at a time when such precision was rare.
His commitment to site-specific expression helped establish Vietti as a benchmark for quality and clarity. In 2016, the Krause family acquired the estate, ensuring continuity of its winemaking philosophy and further investment in its vineyards and cellar.
The Crus of Barolo and Barbaresco
Vietti's identity is shaped by its holdings in some of the Langhe's most distinguished vineyard sites. In Barolo, the estate produces wines from Rocche di Castiglione, Lazzarito, Ravera, Brunate and Villero—each expressing a distinct facet of Nebbiolo shaped by soil composition, exposure and elevation.
Rocche di Castiglione, located directly above the village of Castiglione Falletto, is the estate's historic flagship vineyard. Its steep, southwest-facing slopes and compact calcareous marl soils produce a Barolo of concentration, aromatic intensity and firm structure, capable of evolving gracefully for three decades or more.
Lazzarito, situated in Serralunga d'Alba, offers a more austere and mineral-driven expression, while Ravera in Novello is recognised for its elegance and floral character. In Barbaresco, Vietti works with fruit from the Masseria cru, producing wines of refinement and balance.
Tradition and Precision in the Cellar
Vietti's winemaking approach respects the traditional methods of the region while allowing each site to speak with clarity. Extended maceration on the skins—often lasting several weeks—extracts colour, tannin and aromatic complexity without over-extraction. Fermentation and maturation take place in large Slavonian oak botti, which permit gradual oxygenation and development without imposing dominant wood character.
The result is a collection of wines that balance power with finesse, combining the savoury depth, fine-grained tannins and lifted aromatics that define great Nebbiolo. Vietti's Barolo and Barbaresco are built to reward extended cellaring, typically reaching their peak after 15 to 25 years, though the finest vintages from the estate's top crus can continue to evolve for much longer.
Beyond Nebbiolo, Vietti also produces distinguished Barbera d'Alba and Arneis, showcasing the estate's commitment to expressing the full range of Piedmont's indigenous varieties with precision and respect for origin.
Country
Region
Barolo/Barbaresco - Barolo/Barbaresco
Barolo and Barbaresco are widely regarded as Italy's most prestigious wine regions and represent the benchmark for Nebbiolo worldwide. Located in the Langhe hills of Piedmont in northwestern Italy, these neighbouring DOCG appellations combine centuries of winemaking tradition with exceptional terroir, producing some of the most sought-after and age-worthy wines in the world. Often described as the 'King and Queen of Italian wine', Barolo and Barbaresco have established Piedmont as one of the greatest fine wine regions alongside Bordeaux and Burgundy.
The regions benefit from a continental climate moderated by Alpine influences, with calcareous marl and sandstone soils that create ideal conditions for Nebbiolo. Barolo covers eleven communes including the renowned crus of Cannubi, Brunate and Bussia, producing powerful, structured wines that require extended ageing. Barbaresco, located northeast of Barolo, encompasses four communes and produces wines that are typically more approachable in their youth while retaining remarkable elegance and complexity. Both regions demonstrate extraordinary site-specific expression, with individual vineyards—known as Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGAs)—producing distinct interpretations of Nebbiolo's signature aromas of rose, tar, cherry and truffle.
The regions are home to legendary producers including Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, Bartolo Mascarello, Giuseppe Rinaldi, Gaja, Produttori del Barbaresco and Roagna. Together these estates represent a culture of meticulous vineyard management, respect for tradition and uncompromising quality that has made Barolo and Barbaresco among the world's most collectible wines.
Whether exploring historic vintages, renowned crus or iconic producers, Barolo and Barbaresco offer an unrivalled journey through Italy's finest wine heritage. Discover Barolo/Barbaresco wines, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and find the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
Nebbiolo is the noble red grape of Piedmont in northwestern Italy, best known as the variety behind the celebrated wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Despite its relatively pale colour, Nebbiolo produces wines of remarkable structure, complexity and longevity, combining naturally high acidity with powerful tannins.
Classic Nebbiolo is distinguished by an expressive aromatic profile of red cherry, rose, violet and dried flowers, often developing notes of spice, herbs, leather, tobacco and truffle with age. The grape is particularly sensitive to its growing site, allowing differences in soil, altitude and exposure to create highly distinctive expressions.
Nebbiolo reaches its greatest fame in the Langhe hills, where Barolo and Barbaresco demonstrate the grape’s exceptional capacity for ageing and reflecting terroir. Beyond these renowned appellations, Nebbiolo is also cultivated across northern Piedmont and parts of Lombardy, producing styles ranging from elegant and aromatic to intensely structured.
Its combination of perfume, acidity, tannin and longevity has established Nebbiolo as one of Italy’s most important and distinctive red grape varieties.
History and Style
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà – The Distinctive Character of a Single Vineyard
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is a single-vineyard Nebbiolo wine from the Rabajà MGA, situated within the municipality of Barbaresco in Piedmont's celebrated Langhe region.
Unlike wines produced from a combination of vineyard sites, this Riserva originates from one specifically identified geographical area.
The Rabajà vineyard lies on slopes approximately 235–315 metres above sea level, with a predominantly south to south-west exposure.
Its soils are characterised by limestone and clay, associated with the ancient geological formations of the Langhe.
According to Vietti, the vines have an average age of approximately 51 years and are cultivated using the Guyot training system.
The producer's approach combines the individuality of this vineyard with traditional Nebbiolo winemaking techniques.
Fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in wood and approximately 30 months of oak maturation.
The resulting wine is described by Vietti as deep garnet red, with delicate floral aromas, ripe cherry fruit, silky tannins and a long, persistent finish.
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà represents a focused interpretation of Nebbiolo, shaped by a clearly defined vineyard origin and an extended maturation process.
Wine at a Glance
AttributeDetails
Wine
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
Producer
Vietti
Country
Italy
Region
Piedmont
Wine Region
Langhe
Appellation
Barbaresco DOCG
Classification
Riserva
Vineyard
Rabajà MGA
Vineyard Type
Single Vineyard
Municipality
Barbaresco
Grape
100% Nebbiolo
Wine Type
Still Red Wine
Altitude
235–315 metres
Exposure
South / South-West
Soil
Limestone and Clay
Vine Age
Approximately 51 years
Vine Training
Guyot
Planting Density
Approximately 5,200 vines/hectare
Fermentation
Stainless Steel
Maceration
Traditional Submerged-Cap
Oak Ageing
Approximately 30 months
Colour
Deep Garnet Red
Aromas
Rose, Violet, Cherry, Black Cherry
Structure
Fresh, Silky and Elegant
Vintage Type
Vintage
Sipfind MVP Format
750 ml
What Makes Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà Special?
The defining characteristic of Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is its origin within a single officially recognised vineyard area.
Rabajà is one of the named MGAs of Barbaresco, a system that identifies specific geographical areas within the appellation.
For this wine, Vietti sources its Nebbiolo exclusively from the Rabajà vineyard.
This geographical precision distinguishes the wine from Barbaresco bottlings that combine grapes from several sites.
The vineyard's south to south-west exposure and its altitude of approximately 235–315 metres are central characteristics of its growing environment.
Vietti also identifies the age of the vines as an important feature, reporting an average of approximately 51 years.
The wine's production involves several distinctive techniques.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place over approximately three weeks, including extended contact between the juice and grape skins.
The producer uses regular pumping-over and traditional submerged-cap maceration.
Following malolactic fermentation in wood, the wine undergoes approximately 30 months of oak maturation.
Together, these documented characteristics distinguish Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà within the producer's portfolio.
Rabajà – The Vineyard Behind the Wine
The Rabajà MGA is located in the municipality of Barbaresco, within the Langhe hills of Piedmont.
Vietti's vineyard profile identifies an altitude range of approximately 235–315 metres and a south-west-facing orientation.
The vineyard's geological origins are associated with the Tortonian period.
Its soils developed from the fossil-rich Sant'Agata Marls, geological formations that are an important part of the landscape surrounding Barbaresco.
Vietti identifies limestone and clay as key components of the vineyard soil.
The producer's detailed vineyard documentation also records the site's alkaline soil conditions and its capacity to retain water.
These characteristics provide a more precise understanding of the vineyard than a general description of Barbaresco's terroir.
Rabajà is not simply a geographical name attached to the wine.
It identifies the specific vineyard origin from which the Nebbiolo grapes are sourced.
For enthusiasts interested in understanding the relationship between vineyard location and wine character, this precise geographical identity is one of the defining features of the bottling.
Nebbiolo – The Grape of Barbaresco
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is produced exclusively from Nebbiolo.
This variety is the foundation of both Barbaresco and Barolo, two of Piedmont's most recognised red wine appellations.
Nebbiolo is known for producing wines with pronounced aromatic character, substantial tannins and naturally high acidity.
Its aromatic expression can include floral, red-fruit and savoury characteristics, while its structure allows selected wines to develop further complexity through maturation.
For Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà, the producer's official tasting description emphasises flowers and ripe cherry fruit.
The wine is described as fresh and enveloping, with ripe, soft and silky tannins.
These characteristics form part of the producer's documented description of this particular bottling.
The combination of Nebbiolo and the Rabajà vineyard gives the wine its specific identity within Vietti's range.
Winemaking – Traditional Techniques and Extended Skin Contact
Vietti's winemaking process for Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà includes alcoholic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks.
According to the producer, fermentation lasts approximately three weeks, with the wine remaining in contact with the grape skins.
Regular pumping-over is carried out during this period.
The process also includes pre-fermentation and post-fermentation maceration.
Vietti uses the traditional submerged-cap technique, in which the cap of grape skins is kept beneath the surface of the fermenting wine.
This method maintains contact between the skins and the liquid during maceration.
Skin contact is particularly significant for Nebbiolo because it contributes to the extraction of colour, tannins and other compounds that influence the finished wine's structure.
Following alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation takes place in wood.
These production methods are documented by Vietti and form an important part of the wine's technical identity.
Oak Maturation – Approximately 30 Months
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà undergoes approximately 30 months of maturation in oak barrels.
This extended period in wood follows the wine's fermentation and malolactic conversion.
Oak maturation provides time for the wine's structural components to develop and integrate before bottling.
For Nebbiolo, which naturally contains significant tannins and acidity, maturation is an important stage in the development of the finished wine.
Vietti describes the resulting tannins as ripe, soft and silky.
The producer does not specify the exact proportion of new oak or the precise barrel sizes in its general product description.
Those details should therefore not be assumed.
What is verified is the use of oak barrels and a maturation period of approximately 30 months.
Tasting Profile – Floral Elegance and Silky Structure
Vietti describes Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà as having a deep garnet-red colour.
The nose is rich yet delicate.
The producer identifies floral aromas of dog rose and violet, accompanied by ripe cherry and black cherry.
These characteristics create an aromatic profile combining floral delicacy with ripe fruit.
On the palate, the wine is described as fresh and enveloping.
Its tannins are ripe, soft, silky and well integrated.
Vietti emphasises the wine's structure and elegance, together with a long, persistent finish.
The balance between aromatic richness, freshness and tannin integration is central to the producer's description.
As with other age-worthy Nebbiolo wines, the precise expression will vary according to vintage and bottle development.
For individual vintage pages, Sipfind should use the corresponding technical documentation and verified tasting assessments rather than assuming that every release has an identical profile.
Vietti Rabajà and Roncaglie – Two Expressions of Barbaresco
Vietti's portfolio includes two separately identified Barbaresco vineyard wines: Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà and Barbaresco Roncaglie.
Both are produced from Nebbiolo within the Barbaresco appellation.
However, their geographical origins are different.
Rabajà comes from the Rabajà MGA in the municipality of Barbaresco.
Roncaglie is associated with its own named vineyard area.
The distinction is important because these wines represent different vineyard identities rather than alternative labels for the same product.
For Sipfind, they must be maintained as separate bottle entities, with their own vintages, retailer offers and technical information.
Vintage Variation and Cellaring
Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is produced as a vintage wine.
Each release reflects the conditions of a particular growing season.
Differences in temperature, rainfall and harvest conditions can influence the development of Nebbiolo and the characteristics of the finished wine.
The wine's substantial structure and extended oak maturation make bottle development a relevant consideration.
However, the producer's general product description does not establish a universal drinking window for every vintage.
The ageing potential and recommended drinking period should therefore be assessed separately for each release.
Sipfind's vintage-specific pages should include verified information about the relevant harvest year, professional tasting assessments and any documented drinking recommendations.
This approach allows enthusiasts to distinguish between the wine's permanent identity and the characteristics of individual vintages.
Discover Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà on Sipfind
Explore Vietti Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà, a single-vineyard Nebbiolo wine from one of Barbaresco's recognised geographical areas.
Discover the characteristics of the Rabajà vineyard, learn about Vietti's traditional winemaking methods and explore the wine's available vintages.
Compare retailer offers for the exact wine and vintage through Sipfind's independent European wine price comparison platform.