News — Barolo

Back-Vintage from Barolo Traditionalist:
2010 Cascina Fontana Barolo

Since I first tasted Cascina Fontana's wines in 2012, the wines have become go-to examples of unyieldingly old-school Barolo.

2020 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione & Francia Bottles and Magnums

Roberto Conterno is one of the world's greatest winemakers. The explanation for how incredibly good Conterno's wines are is easy: Roberto’s exacting standards focus on perfecting every little detail. The sum is an almost logic-defying profundity.

"Impeccably balanced"
2020 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo

We chase Mascarello's Barolos down every vintage. They are some of the most soulful expressions of Nebbiolo that you'll ever taste. Few wines deliver as much depth and mystery.

"With exceptional balance, the 2020 is a striking, captivating wine that captures the best the vintage had to offer.” -2020 Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione

Rocche is a key site for Brovia. Not only does Brovia have a very choice parcel in the vineyard, but it’s their oldest holding and home to their oldest vines. If we were to tally up our favorite bottles of Brovia, ones from Rocche would dominate.

"Among the most successful wines of the vintage."
-2019 Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris

In terms of longevity, Cappellano's Barolos boast structures that can keep stride with the great distance runners of Piedmont, like Conterno's Monfortino and Giacosa's Red Labels. 

Old School Piedmont:
2014 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine

The Tre Tine bottling is sourced from three of Barolo's top vineyards - Le Coste, San Lorenzo, and Ravera. In 2014, the Tre Tine has a pristine character and loads of aromatic complexity. There's a finessed lifted quality that really sets off the beguiling assortment of herbs, spices, and dark fruits. 

"One of the most elegant and restrained wines of the year."
-2017 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo

Bartolo Mascarello's Barolos are legendary. They are some of the most soulful expressions of Nebbiolo that you'll ever taste.

"This is an especially ethereal Barolo."
2018 Roagna Barolo La Pira

The 2018 Pira has a radiance and a punchy dynamic energy that's thrilling. The spectrum of flavors is jaw-dropping: layered red fruits, game, earth, tar, herbs, spice, etc. Everything is delivered with exacting precision.

Go-To Piedmont Value:
2018 Roagna Langhe Rosso

Langhe Rosso is a humble designation (like Bourgogne Rouge), but Roagna's has no trouble going head-to-head with Barolos and Barbarescos.

"If you can find it, don't miss it!"
2019 Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo d'Alba Arione

Conterno's wines exist in their own realm. Roberto’s exacting standards focus on perfecting every little detail. The sum is an almost logic-defying profundity.

Piedmont: Canonica, Conterno, Ferrando, Mascarello, Oddero, Rinaldi, Roagna & More

The list below contains over fifty different wines from our favorite Piedmont producers. You'll find ten offerings from Roagna and six from Bartolo Mascarello, everything from Freisa to magnums of Barolo.

Full-Throttle Nobility
2019 Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione

Out of Brovia's consistently stunning line-up of single Crus, Rocche is always the stand out.

The Sweet Spot:
2017 Roagna Barolo La Pira

Roagna's 2017 Pira is jaw-droppingly good. It boasts an incredible spectrum of layered red fruits, game, earth, tar, herbs, and spice. All of this is backed up by a beautiful finesse and verve. 

Perfectionism Paying Off:
2018 Giacamo Conterno Barolo Cerretta

In 2018, Cerretta rivals Francia in a vintage where no wine was earmarked for Monfortino. This is no simple feat. 

"A Barolo of haunting beauty" -Antonio Galloni
2016 Cappellano Barolo Pie Rupestris

In terms of longevity, Cappellano's Barolos boast a structure that can keep stride with the great distance runners of Piedmont, like Conterno's Monfortino and Giacosa's Red Label.

"The 2013 simply has it all" -Antonio Galloni
2013 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo

Don't Miss Under-The-Radar Barolo Traditionalist
2016 Cascina Fontana Barolo del Comune di Castiglione Falletto

Italy 1982-2019

Castell'in Villa, Conterno, Ferrando, Montevertine, Roagna, Valentini & More

"A wine of total finesse" - Antonio Galloni
2016 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose

Barolo at an Accessible Price Point

Piedmont Holy Ground:
2013 Oddero Barolo Vigna Rionda

Rionda is a well exposed, limestone-rich vineyard that has the potential to deliver some of the greatest Barolos around. 

"What a wine!"
2016 Brovia Barolo Brea - Ca' Mia

In recent vintages Brovia established themselves as one of the great traditional estates of Piedmont. In the 2016, they leaped into an even greater level of quality. The wines are more refined, purer, and more detailed.

"Brovia's 2016s are all finesse" Part Two
2016 Brovia Barolo Garblèt Sué

The 2016 vintage represents a high point for this great traditionalist. Just like the 2016 normale, the 2016 Garblèt Sué is one of the best examples of the wine that we've tasted. 

"Brovia's 2016s are all finesse"
2016 Brovia Barolo

Within the top ranks of Barolo, it's difficult to compete with Brovia in terms of value.

No place in their formidable lineup dramatizes this as much as their Barolo normale. In top vintages, this bottling over-delivers in an astonishing way. 

The Don't Miss 2016 Barolo:
2016 Oddero Barolo Villero

I tasted the 2016 Villero during my visit to Piedmont last fall and was blown away. Tasting through the 2016 Barolos and Barbarescos really drove home what an important vintage it is. Even in the context of a great vintage, Oddero's Villero left a deep impression.