News — Barolo

"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. 

"Captures all the best the vintage has to offer"
- 2015 Brovia Barolo Brea - Ca' Mia

Brovia is one Piedmont's elites, and the 2015 Brea - Ca' Mia drives this home. The Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia is one of Brovia's most loved bottlings.

Barolo "Grand Cru" - 1999 Oddero Barolo Vigna Rionda

Vigna Rionda is one of Barolo's great sites. Rionda is a well exposed, limestone-rich vineyard that has the potential to deliver epic Barolos.

"Check Out Oddero" - Hitting Another Level, Again:
2015 Oddero Barolo Villero

Buying Oddero's 2015 Villero didn't require more than a moment's thought. It's among our favorite wines from the vintage, and when you factor in price and quality, there's no competition. 

An Undeniable Master
2015 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretta & Barolo Francia

The Barolos of Roberto Conterno are simply profound. The explanation for their greatness is easy. Roberto’s exacting standards focus on perfecting every little detail. The sum is an almost logic-defying profundity.

Piedmont 1974-2012:
Cappellano, Conterno, Giacosa, Bartolo Mascarello, Guiseppe Rinaldi & More

As we gear up for Festa di Barolo, my mind naturally turned to Piedmont. I tried to pull out all the stops with this list.

"Brilliant, precise, focused and nuanced"
2013 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva

Conterno's Monfortino is otherworldly. It's one of the most profound wine experiences around, and it's a distance runner. The wine simply stops you dead in your tracks.

Balance to the Extreme:
2015 Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione

Rocche is a key site for Brovia. Not only does Brovia have a very choice parcel within this vineyard, but it’s also their oldest holding and home to their oldest vines.

An Essential: Cappellano Barolo Chinato 750 ml

There are few better things to end a meal with—or simply meditate over— than Cappellano’s Chinato. For us, it’s an indispensable part of our cold-weather drinking arsenal.

Piedmont Elite:
2015 Brovia Barolo Brea - Vigna Ca' Mia & Villero

Brovia is at the top of their game. The 2015s drive this home once again.

“This is such a gorgeous Barolo” - 2015 Oddero Barolo

This is one of the easiest purchases we’ve ever made. In recent vintages, Oddero's wines have really entered the zone. Their basic Barolo is easily one of the greatest values the region has to offer.

Piedmont Rarity, 1.8ha: 2014 Canonica Barolo Paiagallo

Last week, we offered Canonica's Langhe Nebbiolo and it sold out in less than two hours. Today, I'm happy to offer Canonica's rarely seen Barolo Paiagallo. Canonica's wines have become some of the hardest to find in all of Piedmont. Canonica’s Barolo Paiagallo comes from a mere 1.8ha vineyard.

"Utterly thrilling" -1999 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato

For me, 1999 Monprivato is one of the most magical vintages of the wine. Mascarello’s Monprivato is one of the great monuments of Piedmont.

A Winter Essential: Cappellano Barolo Chinato 750ml

There are few better things to end a meal with—or simply meditate over— than Cappellano’s Chinato. For us, it’s an indispensable part of our cold weather drinking arsenal.

"I don't think I have tasted a more refined Monfortino than the 2008."
-2008 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva

One taste of Conterno's Monfortino makes a couple of things blatantly clear - it's one of the most profound wine experiences around, and it's a distance runner. The wine simply stops you dead in your tracks.

Hitting A High-Water Mark, Again
2013 Roagna Barolo La Pira

Simply put, Roagna is at the top of their game. There are very few producers working in Piedmont at their level. 

Back-Up The Truck: Barolo Edition - 2013 Oddero Barolo

The 2013 vintage represents a high-water mark for Oddero. In recent vintages, we've been watching this traditionalist going from strength to strength. The wines have steadily grown more complicated and more detailed.

"The 2014 is a superb wine" -
2014 Brovia Barolo Unio

The past handful of vintages have offered ample evidence that Brovia is at the top of their game. Their 2014 Brovia Barolo Ūnĭo may offer the most persuasive argument for inclusion among Piedmont's elite.

2014 Canonica Barolo Paiagallo

Canonica turns out some of the most captivating and soulful Barolos around. Their purity and their textural complexity is mind-blowing.

From Out of the Shadows:
2013 Fracassi Barolo "Mantoetto"

The village of Cherasco lies just outside of La Morra and not far from Verduno. Unlike La Morra and Verduno, Cherasco exists in almost absolute obscurity.

The Greatest Barolo You Haven't Heard Of
2013 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose

"The 2013 reminds me of some of the most profound Barolos and Barbarescos I have tasted." -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media The Barolo traditionalist estate of Poderi Colla has kept a low profile. The 2013 Bussia Dardi Le Rose changes all of this. As Galloni's note above makes clear, this is simply a standout by any estimation. 

"Fans of classically built Barolos will want to take note."
-Antonio Galloni
2013 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate & Cannubi

In 2013, Francesco Rinaldi turned out the strongest collection we've seen from the estate.