At a glance

Producer

Giuseppe Cortese

Region

Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$41-55 USD (average retail as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Red currant, cherry, rose petal, tobacco, anise with subtle earth and spice.

Evolution: Increased tertiary notes—leather, dried flowers—emerge after 3+ years in bottle.

At peak: Layered palate with silky tannins, complex aromatics, refined minerality.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus to high acidity, classic for Barbaresco.

Tannins

Firm, well-integrated but youthful tannins typical of Nebbiolo.

Alcohol

13.5-14% ABV (label dependent)

Aging potential

Excellent; 8-15 years from vintage, depending on storage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2044

Optimal window

2024 to 2047

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured; primary fruit, moderate tannins, balancing acidity.

Classic Barbaresco structure: Nebbiolo's tannins soften with age, while secondary and tertiary notes add depth. 2019 is a fresh, balanced vintage: 2026-2030 is anticipated to be peak for nuance without loss of fruit.

Food pairing

Truffled pasta, braised veal, game birds, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has firm, youthful tannins typical of Nebbiolo, which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its aromas and flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Giuseppe Cortese operates with a sustainable ethos: cover cropping in vineyards, minimized chemical inputs, manual harvest, solar panels for winery energy, recyclable glass and natural cork for packaging.

Giuseppe Cortese demonstrates a strong commitment to environmentally conscious viticulture, focusing on biodiversity and low-impact vineyard management. While they lack official organic or biodynamic certification, their affirmed sustainability steps (reduced synthetic inputs, renewable energy, recyclable packaging) are significant. Their scale further limits the overall carbon impact, though international shipping increases footprint relative to local consumption.