Very attractive red-cherry, redcurrant, plum and floral nose with discreet oak, then a sleek yet powerful and tannic palate with a lot of structure and some real elegance. Enough fruit for immediate drinking, but this is made for aging.
93 points, James Suckling (September 2018)
Cherry, strawberry, chicory and woodsy notes mark this solidly structured, tightly wound Barbaresco. The sweet fruit offsets the dense tannins for balance, and this stays long and vibrant.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (December 2018)
The nose is initially shy but slowly reveals wild berry, exotic incense, aromatic herb and a whiff of toast. The firm palate is more expressive and is all about elegance, delivering crushed red cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and star anise while taut, fine-grained tannins provide support. It's extremely young but already tempting so hold for even more complexity and to let the tannins unwind.
95 points, Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (January 2019)
From a celebrated cru in Neive, the 2015 Barbaresco Cottà is a shapely, soft and accessible interpretation of Nebbiolo from a warm vintage. This mid-weight wine boasts a bright bouquet with ruby highlights. Those aromas are alert, tonic and straightforward in delivery. In terms of mouthfeel, this wine is firm and structured. However, the astringency is safely within bounds (for a young Nebbiolo). Some 10,000 bottles were made. Only 10% of the wine goes into new oak and the rest goes into neutral barrique.
93 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (September 2018)
The 2015 Barbaresco Cottà comes across as a bit heavy, which is something that can happen in warmer vintages, where the natural heft of this site is amplified. There is no shortage of intensity and power, but the Cottà feels blowsy today. On the more positive side, the 2015 does offer a good bit of freshness. It will be interesting to see where things ultimately shake out here.
92 points, Antonio Galloni (October 2017)
Sottimano's 2015 Barbaresco Cottà is powerful, dense and brooding. Today the big, potent tannins somewhat constrict the mid-palate and finish. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 fleshes out with time in bottle. While that may happen, I expect the 2015 will always remain a bit rough around the edges, certainly within the context of the finest Sottimano Barbarescos of recent vintages. Smoke, grilled herbs, plum and firm, chunky tannins all give the 2015 Cottà its burly potent feel.
92 points, Antonio Galloni (October 2018)
'I can’t say enough good things about the Sottimano family and the work they have done over the years to firmly establish themselves among Barbaresco’s top growers. This is one of the few places in Piedmont where every wine is consistently delicious. The only question is how delicious. In recent years, Andrea Sottimano has worked to give his Barbareschi extended time on the lees in a cold cellar, which also slows down the malos. This distinctly Burgundian approach stands in stark contrast to the way most French oak-aged wines are made in Piedmont, where malos typically follow right after the alcoholic fermentations.' Antonio Galloni, October 2012.
