Roagna Barbaresco Paje 2016

WS96: Scents of rose, cherry and hay lead off, with cherry and raspberry fruit flavors taking center stage in this complex and structured red. Flourishes of white pepper, sun-kissed fields and tar add depth as the refined tannins take hold of the finish. Best from 2025 through 2043.

VM95: The 2016 Barbaresco Pajè is one of the highlights in this range, as it offers gorgeous mid-palate depth with super-classic structure. Dark cherry, tobacco, licorice, leather and deeply-pitched spice accents infuse the 2016 with captivating nuance. The Pajè represents a bridge to the higher-end wines in this range. All of these wines have become pricey, but the Pajè is one of the larger-production wines and consistently delivers superb quality at a more approachable price than many of the other wines in the range. The 2016 is positively stellar.