When we talk about Barbaresco, the commune of Treiso is known for its higher altitudes, giving Nebbiolo a notoriously ethereal, high-toned expression. But the Rombone cru is the fascinating exception—it provides the muscle and depth of Treiso. Ada Nada’s "Cichin" Riserva, sourced from their oldest vines in this prized vineyard, is a masterclass in balancing that inherent power with absolute, traditional transparency.
Ada Nada is strictly old-school. They don't force extraction or mask the wine with new oak; instead, they let the terroir speak, resulting in a wine that vibrates with nervous energy.
The nose is deeply savory and intellectual. It bypasses sweet fruit to deliver a profound, balsamic wave of camphor, licorice root, and tar, wrapped around a core of crushed wild cherry, dried rose petal, and white pepper.
It has that "crunchy" tension I am always hunting for in Nebbiolo.
About the ProducerAda Nada is a family estate in Treiso, founded in 1919 and now guided by the fourth generation, Annalisa and Elvio. It champions tradition and elegance: minimal intervention, traditional fermentations and ageing in large, neutral oak botti, with no forced extraction or new oak to mask the vineyards.
Treiso is Barbaresco’s highest commune, known for ethereal, high-toned Nebbiolo, and the estate’s crus show its range. Valeirano, on pure white calcareous marl of marine origin, is the aromatic soul — pure, electric and mineral. Rombone is the exception that gives Treiso its muscle and depth: the Rombone “Elisa” is high-toned and tense, with crushed wild rose, white pepper and sour cherry on firm, chalky tannins, while the Cichin Riserva, from the oldest vines in Rombone, is the brooding patriarch of the lineup, balsamic with camphor, licorice and tar.
These are classic, age-worthy Barbarescos that offer exceptional value; in 2021, the Valeirano was among the best buys of the vintage.
Vintage Context 2020 Vintage Released 2023
★★★★★
Now released and showing balanced, age-worthy wines with excellent potential.
