Displaying a saturated medium red hue, the 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello offers notes of dusty cedar, red cherries, raspberries, and crushed stones, although the wood tones will need time to fully integrate. Medium-bodied, the palate has beautiful brightness, with hints of apricot and stone fruit along with a more linear, elegant structure. For me, this wine holds a very special place in the range and quietly stopped me in my tracks during the tasting. Roughly 16,666 bottles were produced. Drink 2026-2056.
98 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Jun 2026)
The Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello shows greater richness and structure on the mid-palate, with ripe and supple flavors of red and purple fruit that give the wine an especially generous personality. This is a concentrated expression of Nebbiolo, yet it remains direct, sharp and beautifully focused, fully living up to the reputation of this highly collectible vintage. The added depth of fruit is balanced by freshness, creating a wine that is both powerful and elegantly composed. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in large oak botti, the 2021 Ovello was produced in 19,400 bottles and 2,000 magnums.
96 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jul 2026)
The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello sizzles with tension right out of the gate. Orange peel, mint, chalk, white pepper and crushed rocks are all finely sketched. Bright and sinewy to the core, the 2021 captures the purest essence of Ovello. It's another stellar wine in this range. The Ovello will appeal most to readers who like tense wines.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Oct 2025)
Bright and expressive, this red offers black cherry, blackberry and violet flavors, plus a flash of licorice. Mineral and tobacco elements chime in as this builds through the midpalate to the long, energetic finish. Complex and balanced, but give this a few years. Best from 2030 through 2048. 1,950 cases made, 800 cases imported.
96 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Mar 2026)
This historic cooperative puts out an exceptional set of cellarworthy Riserva in 2021. If there isn’t space for all nine, it’s simply a matter of selecting according to personal taste. Robust in fruit and powerfully structured, Ovello is equally brooding in personality. Hints of liquorice, heady dark rose and camphor slowly take shape. Layered, concentrated and fleshy, it floods the palate with a bold stride. Dense tannins keep pace, hemming it in effortlessly, and blood orange and tart redcurrants lend lip-smacking dimension.
96 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Feb 2026)
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