Results for: "Barolo / Nebbiolo, Piedmont"

Just bottled, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and crushed flowers are beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, classy Langhe Nebbiolo is all charm. (AG)

My favorite wine of the flight, the Barale Fratelli 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo hints at some of the savory notes (like cured meat and dried tobacco leaf) that we saw in the rest of the range; however, this wine has a stronger and fresher fruit side with cherry and blackberry. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French botti for 30 months. (ML)

For our classic Barolo, I turned to a rising-star estate whose meticulous vineyard work in the stunning 2021 vintage produced a wine of incredible purity and elegance. This is the definition of a "discovery." The wine offers soaring aromatics of pure red fruits—crushed raspberry, cherry, and rose petal—with a vibrant, energetic palate supported by fine, silky tannins. It’s a beautifully transparent and fragrant Barolo that captures the finesse of the vintage. It’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with a future star of the region.

Restrained, fresh and sleek, showing watermelon, mints, potpourri and deep embers with vibrant strawberries and blood oranges. Incredibly elegant on the palate, with smooth, graceful tannins despite the full body, density and tense acidity. Dried-flower flavors are persistent and savory. Harmonious. October 2026 release. Drink then or hold. (AF)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Giovanni Manzone "Gramolere" Barolo Riserva (92JS, 90VN). James Suckling: "Complex aromas of bark, dark berry and sweet tobacco. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Very fine tannins. Shows balance of the vintage. " (11/2016)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2008 Paolo Scavino "Bricco Ambrogio" Barolo (95JS, 93RP), 1-bottle of 2008 Paolo Scavino "Cannubi" Barolo (96VN, 95ST, 93JS, 93WS), and 1-bottle of 2008 Paolo Scavino "Carobric" Barolo. Of the 2008 Paolo Scavino "Cannubi" Barolo, Vinous writes: "The 2008 Barolo Cannubi bursts from the glass with freshly cut flowers, black cherries, menthol and spices. It is a cool, reserved wine with plenty of Cannubi character. The 2008 is very young, but striking just the same. The delineation, textural elegance and complexity are all first-rate. (AG)" (04/2012)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2006 Giovanni Manzone "Gramolere" Barolo Riserva.

If the brilliant 2021 Barolo is the benchmark for value and precise terroir expression, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is the ultimate everyday proof of Matteo Ascheri's no-nonsense approach. This is exactly what entry-level Nebbiolo should be: pure, unmanipulated, and completely stripped of any commercial makeup. The nose is incredibly open and fragrant, immediately mirroring the ethereal qualities of his Barolo. . It is undeniably one of the smartest, most expressive everyday Nebbiolos on the market.

When discussing traditional Piedmontese winemaking, the Bovio family holds a revered place in La Morra. Originally famous as local restaurateurs, the late Gianfranco Bovio revitalized his father's estate in the 1970s, establishing a winery that has become a benchmark for classic, terroir-driven Nebbiolo. Today, the third generation continues this legacy, deeply committed to preserving the historic style of the Langhe. The "Firagnetti" Langhe Nebbiolo—named after a Piedmontese dialect term referring to a vineyard area with short rows—is the perfect introduction to the Bovio philosophy. Sourced from the estate’s younger vines, this wine offers the noble pedigree of Barolo without the prerequisite decade of cellaring. The vines thrive in the calcareous-clay soils of La Morra, known for yielding Nebbiolo with pronounced elegance and perfume rather than brute force. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, translucent ruby color. The nose is incredibly expressive, offering a classic bouquet of dried cherries, crushed roses, and the subtle hint of leather and spice that defines the grape. On the palate, it is vibrant and approachable. Instead of gripping tannins, it delivers a lively freshness and a graceful, spicy finish, making it a dream pairing for agnolotti del plin or roasted poultry.

I’ve tasted the 2019 Barolo Monfortino three times before bottling at the estate, and it’s one of those vintages where no Francia was made, so all the fruit went into the Monfortino. This is a highly structured expression of the cuvée, yet it shows remarkable finesse and nimbleness in the glass. Aromas of leather, smoky earth, cherries, and floral cologne emerge with clarity and depth. The palate is tightly woven and precise, with firm yet balanced tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, resonant finish. It’s already showing beautifully, and this is truly as good as it gets. The nobility of its structure is profound and promises decades of evolution. Speaking with Roberto Conterno during this tasting, he likened the wine to the 2013, but noted that it carries more elegance even now, something he attributes to the inclusion of Arrione in the final blend. (AF)

The Mosconi cru in Monforte d'Alba is famous for its powerful, structured, and long-lived Barolos. In a phenomenal vintage like 2021, the wines are electric. A producer I work with, known for their modern-classic style, usually blends their small parcel of Mosconi into their main Barolo. The quality was so exceptional this year that I convinced them to bottle it separately for us. The result is a powerhouse: dark cherry, plum, crushed rock, and balsamic notes are supported by massive but noble tannins. This is a profound, site-specific Barolo that demands time in the cellar and will reward the patient collector handsomely.

A graceful wine with cinnamon, earth, strawberries, sweet violets and leesy complexity. There is a lot of fruit depth, with a full body, lifted acidity and dense, ripe, velvety tannins. The finish is polished yet tight. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.

Restrained and perfumed, showing bright licorice root, wild strawberries, watermelon and fresh violets. Full-bodied yet not exuberant, this subtle, elegant Barolo has firm, fine-grained and condensed tannins with persistent acidity and a savory, sanguine finish. October 2026 release. Almost drinkable now yet intended for long aging. (AF)

From one of the denomination’s leading traditional producers, this gorgeous, elegant Barolo opens with floral aromas of dried rose petals, woodland berries, leather, spice and whiffs of balsamic herbs. The delicious palate seamlessly combines crunchy red cherry-berry, white pepper and mint balanced by firm but polished tannins and bright acidity. This is a hallmark Barolo full of finesse that will age majestically.

Because Monfortino was not produced this vintage, the 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia benefits from the extra fruit that would have otherwise gone toward the world's most celebrated Barolo Riserva. I tasted the 2009 Barolo Cascina Francia in barrel two years ago and am delighted by its steady evolution. This is a wine of sophisticated intensity and persuasion. The bouquet peels back to reveal dark fruit, licorice, tar and dried rose. The vintage was warm, resulting in extra plumpness and roundness in terms of mouthfeel. The style is slightly more immediate, but this is a great aging wine nonetheless. (ML)

The 2021 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a deep, powerful wine. In most vintages, the Gavarini Chiniera is a bit more linear, but the 2021 has an extra kick of textural depth that is such a hallmark of the year. Iron, chalk, dried flowers, mint and red cherry fruit build with a bit of coaxing. Readers will find a potent, explosive Barolo that hits all the right notes.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2016 Bruno Giacosa "Falletto Vigna Le Rocche'' Barolo Riserva (100JS, 98DC, 98RP, 98WS). James Suckling: "This is the second 100-point Vigna Le Rocche, following the 2015. What the former had in intensity of fruit and transparency, this has in structure and power. The purity of fruit is sensational in this young Barolo, offering blackberries, black truffle and iron. Rust too. This is so tannic and powerful with incredible structure. This may be the most structured Barolo from Bruno Giacosa I have ever tasted as a young wine. Speechless. Full-bodied and so intense, yet it remains fresh and agile. Traditional in every sense of the word, but this is clear and clean. A classic in the making. " (04/2020)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2010 Ceretto "Prapò" Barolo (96VN, 94RP, 94WS, 93DC, 91WE). Vinous: "The 2010 Barolo Prapò is one of the most beautiful young Barolos I have tasted from Ceretto in a long time. Deep, layered and beautifully expressive, yet also mysterious, the 2010 exudes class and that warm, Serralunga resonance that is unique to the Barolos of the village. Sage, roasted coffee beans, licorice and new leather are some of the notes that emerge over time, all framed by firm, muscular tannins that suggest a long life lies ahead. Today, the 2010 Prapò is majestic. It also has plenty of room to grow from here. (AG) 96+" (01/2014)

The most powerful wine in this grouping is the Ceretto 2017 Barolo Prapò that draws its fruit from a historic site in Serralunga d'Alba. These results are compact and rock-solid, with a deep well of plummy black and purple fruits packed tight at the core. Mineral notes of iron ore, crushed brick and dark licorice fill in the rear. Despite the hot and dry growing conditions, the wines from Serralunga d'Alba show very well across the board in 2017. (ML)

Extremely aromatic with blackberry, dried strawberry, wet earth and crushed stone. Full-bodied with intense, firm tannins. Very tight at the finish with precise, polished fruit and structure. From organically grown grapes. A great 2017. Needs time to open and soften. Drink after 2025. (AF)

A jeweled ruby color, the 2022 Barolo Bricco delle Viole saw one of the largest crop losses in the vintage, with roughly 20 to 30 percent of the fruit lost. Aromas of cherry cordial, framboise, preserved roses, and fresh lavender lead into a stunning palate that is pure, long, and beautifully balanced. As is often the case, this cuvée stands out in the range and may well be among the highlights of the vintage across the region. Drink 2026-2046. (AF) 98+

Approachable nose of melons, watermelon, red currants and peach peel. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins, juicy acidity and a savory finish with licorice notes. Drink or hold.

Extremely perfumed with strawberry and forest floor with some sandalwood, roses and candied watermelon. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are bold and solid. Very persistent finish. Chewy at the end. Classic Barolo character. Drink after 2029.

Fascinating aromas of spice, dried fruit, mushrooms, licorice and dried strawberries follow through to a full body with tight and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Very tannic still.

Structured but extremely elegant, this opens with an intense fragrance of violet, rose, wild berry, leather, underbrush and balsamic notes. The delicious, focused palate delivers crushed black cherry layered with notes of exotic spices, licorice, sage and black pepper, perfectly balanced by assertive tannins and vibrant energy. It already boasts gripping depth, but this has serious aging potential. *Cellar Selection* (KO)

This is really something, with superb concentration of fruit and tannins. It’s powerful yet harmonious with a muscular sense and agile feel. Blackberries and strawberries with bark and wet-earth undertones. Goes on for a long time on the palate. Give it three to five years of bottle age to come around. Best after 2024.

What an intoxicating nose of flowers like violets and roses and hints of cedar and blueberries. The palate is compact, with delineated fruit and superfine, elegant tannins. Succulent, but with a lovely, polished, underlying structure. Already a joy to drink, but will surely improve substantially with a couple of years of bottle age. (JGA)

With judicious oak and extraction, the 2021 is well put together and chock full of flavour. Clean, vibrant aromas exude a harmonising mix of tarragon, nutmeg and fennel. Dense without being heavy, the strawberry soaked palate is carried by a long, vaulted arch of grainy tannins. Finishes with an orange twist. Gianmatteo (Jimmy) and his friends Fabrizio Giraudo and Luciano Racca started off making Dolcetto 20 years ago before Jimmy’s father-in-law entrusted him with his small Barolo parcel in Perno. (MM)

The 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate displays a bit more ruby and deeper pigment in the glass and has notes of raspberry liqueur, sweet sage, pressed flowers, cedar, and licorice. It’s very pretty on the nose and carries more sapidity to the palate while also retaining lovely purity, with ripe tannins, slightly broader shoulders, and a long finish. Both of the Barolo have a tremendous amount to offer, but with distinctive personalities, and for my taste, this one has a slight edge. (I also wouldn’t be surprised if that were to flip with a different mood and tasting.) The perfumes of both the wines are exceptional in this fantastic vintage. Drink 2027-2057. (AF)

Assertive aromas of graphite, violets, mint and chalky minerality. A stunning, precise wine focused on elegance, with citrus flavors, a full body and lavish, velvety tannins supported by freshness. Long, youthful and savory aftertaste. Try from 2026, but best after 2030.

The 2021 San Lorenzo di Verduno from Fratelli Alessandria is a stunner, starting with its intense fragrance of violet, rose, perfumed berry, forest floor and new leather. The palate is full-bodied and utterly delicious, delivering ripe black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and white truffle before a savory finish. Tightly knit, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced while a hint of almond liqueur lingers on the finish. (KO)

This is very powerful and structured, with aromas of black truffles, graphite and hints of dried thyme and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied and chewy yet polished. Hints of terra cotta and dark fruit. The finish goes on and on. March 2024 release. Best after 2028.

Camphor, dark spice, cedar and a whiff of sun warmed hay slowly shape the enticing nose. The full-bodied palate boasts weightless finesse and a great depth of flavors, featuring ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and a hints of tobacco framed in firm but refined tannins.

Incredibly open and complex with cedar, dried roses, plums and strawberries. Some toffee, too. Medium to full body, with fabulously polished tannins that give a fine, creamy texture, yet driven and energetic. Love the finish.

The 2007 Barolo Cascina Francia is an unusual version of this benchmark wine. In 2007 Conterno decided against bottling his Monfortino. Conterno believes Nebbiolo can handle rain and humidity (hence his decision to make Monfortino in rainy years such as 1987 and 2002), but not drought. The result is a Cascina Francia that is unusually dark, rich and powerful. The floral, herbal notes that are typical in young Cascina Francia have been replaced by deeper notes of tar, smoke and licorice to match the layers of intense dark fruit. The 2007 is powerful and imposing from start to finish. It is going to be a fascinating Barolo to follow over the coming years and decades. (AG) 96+

Multilayered yet overt and generous, showing dried violets, potpourri, licorice, cherry pits and pomegranate. Full-bodied and almost salty, with firm, dusty tannins, crisp acidity and a tight yet balanced finish due to great fruit concentration. Warming yet harmonious. October 2026 release. Drink then or hold. (AF)

Vietti's two hectare holding is in a choice southwest facing section of Lazzarito's natural amphitheatre in Serralunga d'Alba. It sees a short passage in mostly used barriques, followed by 26 months in Slavonian oak botti. The most darkly fruited of Vietti's 2013 lineup, it takes time to reveal evocative scents of earthy rain-sodden underbrush, exotic spice and florals. The palate is broad and concentrated yet energetic, with a note of sage and an irony mineral quality. (MM)

All about perfume, elegance and structure, the exquisite 2019 Vigna Elena Riserva is another stunner from Nadia Cogno and Valter Fissore. Made entirely with the rare Rosé, long considered a subvariety of Nebbiolo, it's has intense sensations of rose, red berry, dark spice and blood orange. It seamlessly combines the elegance of Vigna Elena and the youthful austerity of the 2019 vintage. What a beauty. (KO)

A restrained and fresh wine focused on licorice, red currants, violets and watermelon. It’s almost zesty in acidity, with a tight palate, a medium body and dusty yet ripe, lightly framed tannins. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

The Ravera cru, one of the estate's prized holdings, is known for its calcareous soil and old vines that contribute to the wine's depth and ageability. This Barolo showcases crushed raspberries and red currants intertwined with wild thyme and fresh laurel. Subtle notes of cinchona bark, whole cinnamon, and fresh porcini add complexity. On the palate, warmed mixed berry jam is dusted with crushed cloves, pepper, and earthy hints of truffle and underbrush. Fine and elegant tannins provide structure, while the well-balanced warmth envelops the senses like a comforting hug. Drink Now - 2045 JP

A long-lived vintage, this 1978 is showing well for its age with its still-fresh acidity and intense yet delicate, savoury flavours of caramelised nuts, dried red berries, cigar, coffee beans and crème brûlée. Red berry sweetness and fine tannins provide balance on the long, gentle finish. Drinking Window: 2022-2032. (3/9/22)

This red is like a laser, yet there’s also a sappiness to its texture midpalate, with cherry, cranberry, rose hip, menthol and mineral flavors. Notable for its harmony, complexity and length, with an aftertaste that just keeps coming. Best from 2029 through 2047. 856 cases made, 180 cases imported. (BS)

The 2021 Tre Pile Barolo is a traditional and elegant expression of Nebbiolo, reflecting the historic Ghisolfi family estate in the renowned Bussia Soprana area. The nose is classic and perfumed, offering scents of red cherries, wild strawberries, and rose petals with subtle hints of black tea and pine needles. On the palate, it is silky and mid-bodied, balancing a refined verticality with supple, elegant tannins and a savory mineral core. The finish is clean and persistent, showing a delicate grace rather than brute power. A "feminine" and approachable style of Barolo from a balanced vintage that prizes purity and drinkability.

A very exuberant yet delicate nose of rose petals, clementine peel and raspberries. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit and silky tannins. Very pleasant. Drink now or hold. (JS)

An approachable wine with cherry jelly, licorice, smoke, wood and game on the nose. The palate is super juicy and easy to drink, with a full body, refreshing acidity and firm yet ripe, velvety tannins. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

Of the four single-vineyard Baroli made by Massolino, the 2016 Barolo Parussi is the only one with fruit from Castiglione Falletto. This wine is elegant and tight, and it shows a superb level of Nebbiolo precision. That sharpness is built upon beautifully in a classic vintage such as 2016, and aromas of wild berry, earth, tobacco, licorice and dusty limestone come into startling focus. Parussi adopts a direct and linear approach with fine and polished tannins. In a portfolio that so closely monitors the taste profile of Serralunga d'Alba, this wine is the delightful outsider. (ML)

Rinaldi’s 2020 Barolo Cannubi marries power and finesse to a degree that is quite rare. There’s plenty of baby fat today, so I would be thinking of cellaring this for a bit. Macerated red cherry, kirsch, sweet spice, tobacco, leather, blood orange and rose petal form a super-classic profile. This is a distinctive Cannubi that is endowed with both substance and textural depth to burn. (AG)

Sandrone's 2011 Barolo Le Vigne is sweet, silky and exceptionally polished in the glass. Sweet floral notes, bright red berries, subtle spices and mint are all laced together nicely in the glass. Le Vigne is a blend of fruit from multiple vineyard sources. This is the first year in which Villero is part of the blend. (AG)