A Timorasso, Two Roagna Pajè @ Salil's, 2/28/2026

A Timorasso and Two Roagna Pajè
@ Châteauneuf-du-Salil, Albany, NY (2/28/2026)

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We started with a lovely Timorasso, but the main event was the side by side of the 1998 Roagna Crichët Pajè and the 2020 regular Roagna Barbaresco Pajè. It was fascinating and fun.

Salil made his classic chicken thighs with rice, cauliflower and sous vide carrots.

Starter

2016 Cascina Baricchi Ça Va Sans Dire - Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola
[Pop and pour.] Lovely nose of flowers and citrus. Rich, full bodied with crisp acidity. Long. I think this has some serious upside potential. I'll hold my other bottle for a few years. But today, this is a wine to enjoy with food. (91–93 points)

Pajè v. Pajè

1998 Roagna Barbaresco Crichët Pajè - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Double-decanted at 3pm for one hour. Tasted about 7:30.] At first the nose is muted with lovely black fruit and spice. Stunning in the mouth. Tannins still noticeable but soft. Incredible balance and harmony. Around 9pm, the bouquet has bloomed. Wow! What a wine in a year that wasn't that great for Barbaresco. (97 points)
2020 Roagna Barbaresco Pajè - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Decanted at 6:30pm. Tasted around 7:30.] Bright red fruit in the nose with hints of cocoa. Surprisingly open and singing from the get-go. Rich and complex in the mouth with a great sense of harmony. Appreciable tannins, but loads of bright red fruit. Long finish. Another stunningly good wine with such restraint in a warm vintage. So fragrant. (95–96 points)

Dessert
Salil made two desserts!! Rosewater-pistachio panna cotta and lemon-orange olive oil cake:

Conclusion
A great group of wines with delicious food. In my experience, the wines made by Luca's father Alfredo are more prone to off bottles, but when they're on (like this 1998 Crichët Pajè), they are every bit the equal of the great wines that Luca has been making since 2001.

My tasting notes posted from CellarTracker.

Salil's notes on CellarTracker.