Roagna’s 2011 Barbaresco Crichet Pajé embodies the soulful, classical spirit of Piedmont’s great nebbiolo-based wines. Produced from select parcels within the revered Pajé cru, this wine showcases the strength and complexity nebbiolo achieves in Barbaresco. The vineyard sits on clay-limestone soils, imparting a mineral backbone and remarkable finesse. 2011 was a warm and generous vintage, bringing additional layers of ripe fruit to the wine’s trademark structure. Roagna, renowned for its traditional methods, ferments its Barbarescos with indigenous yeasts and ages them slowly in large neutral oak, preserving the grape’s aromatic purity while allowing time to soften tannins and develop nuance.
Barbaresco lies at the heart of the Langhe in Piedmont, a region famed for its rolling vineyards and fog-laden mornings. The climate is continental, marked by warm summers and cold winters, which assist in achieving balanced ripeness and preserving the vibrant acidity so essential to nebbiolo. The soils here are rich in calcareous marl, lending structure and longevity. Barbaresco’s history is intertwined with its neighbour Barolo, but these wines are often judged softer and more accessible in youth, with equally impressive ageing potential albeit a distinctively floral, refined style.
Crichet Pajé, with its perfumed bouquet of rose, violet, wild cherry, and earthy undertones, needs thoughtful food pairings. It shines alongside classic Piemontese dishes such as braised veal shank (ossobuco), tajarin pasta with truffle, or slow-cooked beef brasato al Barolo. The firm yet elegant tannins also make it a wonderful match for game birds or wild mushroom risotto.
Serve this Barbaresco between 16 and 18°C in large-bowled glasses to allow the aromas to unfurl. Decanting for two to three hours is recommended to help the wine express its full depth and subtlety. This bottle will also reward further cellaring for another decade or more.
