Roagna Barbaresco Pajè 2016

Dark cherry, tobacco, dried leather and licorice root, with deeply-pitched spice running through the core. The Pajè has serious mid-palate density and a structural backbone that aligns it closer to Roagna's top-tier bottlings than its price would suggest — a bridge between the entry level and the estate's most coveted crus. Tannins are firm and well-knit without the austerity that marks many 2016s at this stage; there's enough dark fruit to keep things generous. Among the larger-production wines in the range, it consistently punches above its weight, offering a more accessible entry point into Roagna's style without sacrificing depth. One of the standout expressions of this vintage. Drink 2026–2048.