2021 Barolo, Pajana, Domenico Clerico

The Domenico Clerico 2021 Barolo Ginestra Pajana is polished and beautifully defined with red fruit, crushed stone and blue flower. All of these wines from 2021 offer extraordinary depth and perfumed complexity. However, the tannic fabric of this wine is firmer and denser. You'll want to give this bottle more time to let those tannins resolve. They are beautifully chalky as it stands now but will grow silkier as they integrate. This is an important, proud Barolo from an epic vintage. The vineyards date back to 1971, with a second planting in 1991. Production is 5,000 bottles. ~ (97) Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 6-19-2025

Coming from Ginestra, the 2021 Barolo Ginestra Pajana is sunny and inviting, with a more open-knit feel aromatically compared to the Ciabot Mentin. Along with lifted spice, it shows off notes of dark cherries, leather, baking spices, balsamic, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, with a compact texture, broad shoulders, and ripe tannins, it offers angular ripe acidity, a refined richness of texture, and a long finish. It has a lot of intensity and focused energy and is going to be a more contemplative wine over the coming 25 years. ~ (96) Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com 5-1-2025

A complex and vibrant wine with an enticing nose of Parma violets, dried cherries, strawberries, licorice and a hint of cinnamon. Full-bodied, it shows extracted and velvety tannins despite its youth, with fruit concentration, chewy acidity and an energetic, bracing finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. ~ (96) James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 4-17-2025