Italian Wine

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

James Suckling 94 Points | Spice and dried seaweed with ash and earth on the nose, as well as red fruit. Full-bodied with medium, round tannins and a savory finish. Dusty at the end. Delicious now, but will age nicely. Drink or hold.

The Wine Spectator 93 Points | A graceful, medium-bodied red, with bright acidity and fine, creamy tannins, which buoy a pleasing range of baked strawberry, star anise, graphite and red licorice notes. A subtle overtone of herbs and mineral pushes through and lingers on the lightly chewy finish. Drink now through 2032. 

Winemaker Description

Deep ruby red in color with garnet reflections. On the nose, aromas of red fruit, blackberry, plum and licorice with hints of vanilla and leather. Full-bodied palate, with intense flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice culminating in a long and smooth finish.

Outstanding with red meat, game, and hard cheeses. 

Expert Review

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | This classic Gattinara opens with aromas of dried sour cherries, rosebud, sweet and savory spices and a hint of dried herbs. Well-balanced between savory and fruity elements, the wine’s mouthwatering acidity and fine tannins build the framework for the wine to be enjoyable today and into the future. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

Barolo Berri comes from a vineyard at the extreme west border of the Barolo area, with an altitude between 370 and 430 mts asl (1200 -1400 ft). Our Barolo Berri doesn’t want to stand out for complexity or longevity, but for drinkability and immediacy, due to its inner fruit profile, sweet ripeness and freshness. Like any Barolo, it is certainly suitable for long ageing but, in our opinion, this wine can be consumed right after the release with extreme pleasure. 

Expert Reviews 

96 Points Vinous | Nicola and Stefania Oberto may very well put Berri on the map with their 2020 Barolo Berri. What a wine. Deep, soaring and wonderfully expressive, the 2020 is stunning in its beauty. Dark red/purplish fruit, orange peel, cinnamon, rose petal and lavender are all amplified in a vertical, soaring Barolo of magnificent intensity. Silky, polished tannins round things out in style. The 2020 is pure and sensual to the core - a total pleasure bomb. (2020).

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | There is already a wonderful balance in the 2020 Barolo Berri, with both vertical drive and rounded fruits, including red berries and spiced red plums. It has ripe tannins and a generous feel, with a spine of fresh acidity raising it to another level. Drink 2026-2040.

92 Points James Suckling | Fresh and brambly nose with red berries, white pepper, stones and hibiscus. Medium body on the palate with tight, chalky tannins and an elegant, firm finish. Drink or hold. (2020).

Winemaker Description

Redigaffi has an intense color that arouses enthusiasm and satisfy the sight, it highlights great complexity characterized by the fruity attack in the mouth leaving then “room” to tobacco and licorice notes. Good concentration given by the pre-harvesting activity, three passages and perfect maturation reached by our grapes. Outstanding complexity. Floral notes typical of our “Macchia Mediterranea” are intense and persistent. The elegance of tannins is enhanced by the great structure and balance. Considerable extraction and good acidity.

Expert Reviews

Susan Hulme MW of Decanter writes 100 Points | (March 4, 2019)  2016 was an exceptional vintage in Tuscany and, according to Stefano, the best in 20 years. The cool night temperatures allowed for beautifully precise aromatics and perfectly ripe, harmonious tannins. This wine expresses the vintage beautifully and is the best Redigaffi I have tasted - simply stunning! Complex and tightly wound, it carries its 15% alcohol really well. There are hints of roasted coffee beans and green herbs on the nose, while the palate is super-concentrated yet beautifully balanced, with very fine-textured tannins. Blackcurrant, smoky plum and liquorice flavours are joined by a lovely freshness. A beauty. 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 97 Points | The 2016 Redigaffi is another absolutely compelling wine in this range. Explosive and opulent, the 2016 manages to be both spectacularly rich and yet also retain tremendous freshness. Blueberry jam, lavender, crushed rocks and sweet oak all build as this sumptuous yet structured Merlot shows off its considerable personality. In 2016, Redigaffi is energetic, persistent and also very classy. Drink it over the next decade or so. 

Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate writes 97 Points | This vintage hits it out of the ballpark. The Tua Rita 2016 Redigaffi is everything you should expect in terms of complexity, depth and the quality of its bouquet. The wine is especially balanced and focused with pinpoint aromas of dark cherry, plum, spice, tar and dried garden herb. The mouthfeel is generous and rich, but it also offers very silky and long tannins that give the wine its long, persistent mouthfeel. The 2016 vintage is an icon, and the wine has many long years of aging ahead.  Drinking 2023 - 2040 

James Suckling writes 99 Points | Aromas of lavender, ripe cherries, iodine, licorice and walnuts. Some mahogany and amber, too Full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Intense and focused, with a very deep core of perfumed fruit. Still needs time. 100% merlot. Better after 2023.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2023 

James Suckling writes:  Lovely crushed berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and a crunchy and delicious finish. A blend of mostly merlot and cabernet sauvignon with some syrah and cabernet franc. Drink now.  - James Suckling 93

James Button writes:  Rosso dei Notri is Tua Rita's biggest production, at about 150,000 bottles a year. This is the first vintage using concrete alongside the usual stainless steel vats, which in theory should give a bit more softness of texture and fruit expression. Creamy red and black berry aromas carry through to the mouth, where they are joined by overtones of liquorice and violet. Fresh and spicy, this is a fairly straightforward, easy-drinking red which shows lovely purity of fruit. 80% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and Cabernet Franc.  Drinking 2024 to 2028.  - Decanter 90

Antonio Galloni writes:  The 2023 Rosso di Notri, the estate’s entry-level red, is a fine choice for drinking over the next few years. Succulent red cherry, tobacco, spice and leather are nicely pushed forward in this refreshing, juicy red blend of 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Franc.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 

Winemaker Description

This youthful offering from Tua Rita is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Franc, harvested in September from vineyards in the foothills of Suvereto, a small hilltop village in Tuscany. After a gentle pressing, the wine is aged for three months in French oak barriques and stainless steel tanks.

Deep ruby red in color, with aromas of black fruits, namely blackberries, plums and ripe black cherries over more subtle notes of cocoa, licorice and sweet spice. On the palate, the wine is smooth, with silky tannins and bracing acidity, showing structural balance long into the finish.

Pair this wine with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, spice rubbed chicken, or lasagna Bolognese with béchamel sauce.

Winemaker Desription

Ugo Contini Bonacossi is a natural wine producer located in a small village in the heart of Tuscany, Roccalbegna. The labels I’ve designed are all about dreamy and fantastic illustrations that take inspiration from the icon of Bonacossi: the hedgehog. From the characterization of the hedgehog as the main character, I’ve illustrated dreamy tales around him and Roccalbegna’s environment.

In Ughetto, a red wine, Ugo – the owner of the business and winemaker – and his hedgehog alter ego are staring at the moon/sun in a dichotomy between day and night. 

Winemaker Description

The wine presents a deep ruby red color with evident shades of violet. The nose is remarkable for a delicate and characteristic, in- tense and aromatic vinous aroma, suggestive of roses, violets and brushwood.

Flavor dry and warm, with clear and pungent but not rasping tannins. Soft and fairly rounded, and also with good body and persistence.
 
This wine is traditionally matched with typical local charcuterie such as Lardellato di Fabriano or Ciavuscolo salami, first courses based on Salsa Rossa and meat sauce, and second courses based on white meats. It can also be accompanied by antipasti of blue fish, marinaded or soused in the same wine, and some types of fish soup. It is also excellent with medium-hard cheeses.

Goblet of medium size and roughly spherical shape, to allow the wine to oxygenate properly and for the aromas to open up completely. 

Winemaker Description 

Straw yellow color with golden hints, to the nose it shows intense and persistent perfumes of wild flowers and aromas of yellow pulp fruit such as peach, apricot and golden apple. To the palate it’s rich and velvety with a good dose of freshness and sapidity to balance the great softness. Dry finish, persistent and intensely fruity.

Ideal with fish dishes, oven-cooked or grilled, roast white meat and fresh cheeses. 

Winemaker Description

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft. 

Expert Reviews

94 Points James Suckling | Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.

94 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure. It is sourced from three different vineyard sites of various exposition on the hill of Montalcino. This will be ready to drink a touch earlier and be great to check in on over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.

93 Points Wine Spectator | Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. 1,500 cases imported.

91 Points Decanter | Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely. A delightful jumping off point to Val di Suga’s single-vineyard offerings, which COO and winemaker Andrea Lonardi has been refining since 2012.

Winemaker Desrcription

This is a very concentrated Brunello that combines intense notes of blood orange with a hint of chinotto mixed with complex Mediterranean spices (Helichrysum Thyme and Broom Flowers). It is a wine with a strong nerve, a vibrant acid structure that sustains a concentrated mouthfeel, rich in silky tannins. The finish is extremely long and soft.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 95 Points | A deep ruby/red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino displays a brooding and serious profile initially, with aromas of dried cherries, cigar box, smoky incense, mint, and wild herbs. It comes to life with a refined and elegant feel on the palate, offering fine tannins, fresh, even acidity, and a lovely mineral-tinged backbone with wonderful freshness and purity. This is a gorgeous entry to the Brunello offerings of Val di Suga in this stellar vintage. Drink 2024-2040.

Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate writes 93 Points | Immediate and accessible in personality, the Val di Suga 2019 Brunello di Montalcino (with 90,000 bottles released) is very clean and polished in presentation and especially from a tactile point of view. Neat fruit aromas of dark cherry, mulberry and cassis fold into spice and earthiness. The wine's bright freshness also stands out and adds intensity and vibrancy to this mid-weight Brunello.

Michaela Morris of Decanter writes 92 Points |  A compilation of three distinctly diverse terroirs within Montalcino, Val di Suga’s estate Brunello is made up of equal shares from Vigna del Lago in the northeast, Poggio al Granchio in the southeast and Vigna Spuntali in the southwest. The bright ruby colour and youthful freshness are well preserved. Focused aromas of red cherry with flecks of pepper give way to deeper violet and sweet earth. Appealing and pure, the mid-weight palate offers a layer of luscious red berries and plump persimmon underscored by juicy acidity. Sandy textured tannins are supple and yielding. Hard to resist now.

Winemaker Description

Intense purple red. To the nose rich with red fruits, ripe black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. It opens up and offers ethereal scents after a little while. 

Tannins are strong. Long, warm and soft finish.

Ideal match for local dishes of the Maremma, wild boar and venison meat. It also goes perfectly with Pecorino Toscano DOP. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description 

Intense, impenetrable ruby. Pervasive and complex with nuances of morello cherry, kirsch and ripe blackberry as well as hints of rain-soaked earth, ground coffee, tobacco and licorice. An intense, rounded mouthfeel highlights the good structure provided by the corpulent tannins which leads to a lingering juicy finish.

Winemaker Description 

The natural copper-colored extracted with maceration is the signature of this wine and its richness with reminiscent of pear Williams, banana, and Acacia flowers wrapped in a slight scent of fresh apricot. Intriguing taste with pleasant flavors of pear syrup and quince peels. Good acid/alcohol balance with a long fruity finish.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Ventolaio’s 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of exceptional quality, made exclusively of the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Intense ruby red in color with complex aromas of cherries, red plums, dark chocolate, cappuccino, tobacco, vanilla and savory spice. Full bodied yet elegantly structured, with rich fruit and robust tannins on the hearty finish. A complex red that can easily accompany the best of Tuscan cooking. Pair it with rich, flavorful meals such as pasta, red meat, aged cheeses and wild game.

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

Danielle Callegari of the Wine Enthusiast writes 93 Points | The nose is savory and smoky, with aromas of fresh tar, hot coffee and pepper, plus a touch of sweet cherry tomato for balance. That fruit note stays simultaneously sweet, vegetal and earthy on the palate, even as undertones of bitter earth create a restrained overall feel.  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2016

James Suckling 94 Points | Plenty of ripe and fresh fruit with citrus and rose aromas that follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a bright, vivid finish. Hints of orange-peel and light pie-crust flavors in the aftertaste.

Kerin O'Keefe of the Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | Aromas of black-skinned berries, new leather and spice shape the nose. The chewy palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco and vanilla alongside polished tannins. Drink 2023–2031.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Falstaff 90 Points | Dark, bright ruby red with brightening edges. On the nose, ripe wild berries, milk chocolate, also shows floral hints, dense. Fresh on the palate, with clear, rich fruit and a compact body, also shows fine savoriness and firm drive, with a slight after-dry finish.

Our Professional Review

Bart of 67Wine.com writes | Wines made from the Sangiovese grape are well adapted to good basic food pairings and serve a very useful purpose at the dinner table, especially one that is as well made as Ventolaio’s 2021 Sentiero del Fante. Dark, savory fruit greets the nose with welcome fanfare and aromatic depth. Rich yet energetic in the mouth, with dark cherry fruit and Tuscan spice is at the center of attention with that certain balance and expressive complexity that tastefully engages what’s on the table with delicious agility. It’s a natural with pizza and pasta, but don’t be afraid to get creative; this is a wine that will enhance a spectrum of flavors and textures. This is what Sangiovese does at its best!
Bart Hopkins

Producer Description 

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Wine Spectator 91 Points | Vanilla and resin accents frame the core flavors of boysenberry, blackberry and plum in this firmly structured red. Flashes of violet and spices emerge as this fades gracefully on the long aftertaste.

James Suckling 91 Points | Pretty intense nose with crushed cherries, flowers and stones. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with fresh tannins and a succulent finish drenched with sour cherries.

Winemaker Description 

Expressive floral tones of wild rose, fresh berries, and crushed mineral. The power and intensity of the bouquet is especially attractive and bold. The wine’s dark concentration within layers of blueberry and earth is perfectly balanced by those ethereal aromas.

Serve with pasta primavera, pizza margherita, and grilled or roasted white meats.

Winemaker Description

Ruby red color with mineral and vanilla notes. his Barbera is very well balanced, with a good complexity and a red cherry finish.

Goes well with appetizers, rich salads, grilled seasonal vegetables, soups, stews, pasta, veal, pork, chicken with light sauces.

Expert Review

James Suckling 95 Points | This has a rather reserved nose with dried-herb, rosehip, potpourri and light cedary aromas, ahead of fragrant dried cherries. The palate has quite dense and smoothly rendered, ripe tannins that deliver a long, composed and approachable Barolo. Drink or hold. 

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red. Dry, with generous body, harmoniously balanced and velvety texture. Classic, ripe red-fruit, long finish, rich and very elegant. Spices, violet, plums and intense tar, very typical for the Brunate vineyard.

Expert Reviews 

98 Points James Suckling | The density of ripe fruit is fantastic in this young Brunate with black berry, blueberry, stone and earth character. Very pure. It’s full-bodied yet reserved and focused with a long and intense finish. Very fine tannins. Complex. From organically grown grapes. Vegan.

97 Points Robert Parker | The Vietti 2019 Barolo Brunate shows an earthy, almost autumnal quality that you don't get in the other wines presented by this leading estate. The bouquet opens to dark fruit, peat moss and rusty nail. The wine is long and fine-textured with silky sensations that add softness to the mouthfeel. Hints of baking chocolate or espresso bean appear on the close.

96 Points Wine Spectator | Steeped cherry and raspberry paste are propped up by a ballast of graphite in this tasty red. Tannins are fine. There is a yin/yang here between ripe wild cherry, kirsch and raspberry fruit and notes of eucalyptus, juniper and hay. They fall under the grip of dense, assertive tannins on the finish today, yet there is plenty going on in this seductive red. Excellent refinement and length.textured but build in intensity, making for a well-framed close, flecked with black tea and sandalwood notes. A perfumy, energetic style with nice form.

95 Points Jeb Dunnuck | More structured, the 2019 Barolo Brunate has more depth and richness, possibly because the Brunate has a more southwest exposition. It is ripe with strawberry, spice, and pressed flowers and is more monumental in its gripping ripe tannins, with black tea, black raspberry, and turned soil. This can stand up to more substantial fare at the dinner table. Hold it another couple of years and drink.

95 Points Wine & Spirits | Luca Currado’s Brunate shines in this lighter vintage, its fresh cherry flavors tangy and taut yet offering plenty of juicy appeal. Hints of rose petal and fresh herbs lend a softness that’s balanced by lively acidity and a high note of orange peel. The wine continues to brighten over several days.

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby-red color. The nose is explosive, powerful and wide-ranging. Fruity notes of plum, citrusy hints of cedar, grapefruit and spices emerge. After a few minutes in the glass, notes of violet flower—typical of the Brunate terroir—emerge. On the palate, it is intense and full-bodied. The soft, rounded and velvety tannins are typical of the La Morra area. The finish reveals a hint of licorice root.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Robert Parker 95 Points | The Vietti 2020 Barolo Brunate has a dark and spicy side that is infused throughout the fruit. Dark cherry and blackcurrant are folded into ferrous earth grilled rosemary aniseed and a hint of fresh mint. Brunate tends to be quite austere and firm in terms of its aromas and this vintage shows those qualities well. In fact the character of the site comes through clearly. The wine has a precise angular personality and the fruit feels compact. Only 4988 bottles were made.

Vinous 94 Points | The 2020 Barolo Brunate is a dark beguiling wine. Black cherry dried herbs leather game licorice and incense lend gorgeous sepia-toned nuance. Brooding and inward the 2020 clearly needs time. It is a super-classic Brunate that is hard to read in the early going but the weight substance and power are clearly there. Dense meaty and dark the 2020 shows Serralunga-like intensity. 

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red color. Generous nose with aromas of ripe red berry fruit with spicy overtones. Intense on the palate, quite rich though very elegant and well-balanced. The tannins are present, but very well integrated in the fruit structure of the wine. Long aftertaste with good freshness. A wine with extraordinary finesse and balance. Pair with red meats, roasts, and wild game.

Expert Reviews

Vinous 98 Points | The 2019 Barolo Cerequio is a worthy follow up to the stellar 2018. Aromatic and deeply pitched, the 2019 races across the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint and cinnamon all open in the glass, but it is the wine's silkiness and suppleness that impresses most. A kick of acids and tannins puts an exclamation point on the finish. This is a gorgeous Cerequio that takes all the finesse this site offers, and then turns up the volume. What a wine.

Robert Parker 97+ Points | Vietti was able to buy a 9,000-square meter piece of Cerequio from Michele Chiarlo, arguably the king of this celebrated cru. And because this is a new addition to the portfolio, the Vietti team is still learning the ropes. For example, there is a fresh minty tone that pops up from the bouquet of the 2019 Barolo Cerequio. "That minty note was a mystery to us," Luca Currado tells me. "But then we understood that its part of Cerequio." This wine shows a firm grip on the palate that does extend out to include some textural softness, but it ultimately remains quite structured. Among the grand cru sites of La Morra, Luca Currado tells me that "Cerequio is the brother and Brunate is the sister." His wife Elena Penna adds, "We've never had two sites so close to one another show such a great difference between them.

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points | Coming from La Morra, a more fruit-forward tone can be found in the licorice spice and depth of the 2019 Barolo Cerequio, which offers slightly darker fruit, ripe berries, and peppercorn. This was the second vintage produced and is more approachable now for the vintage. It is a joyful wine though it still has ripe structure.

Expert Review

Vinous 97 Points: The 2019 Barolo Lazzarito continues a trend seen in recent years in which the focus has been more about finesse than raw power. Intense red fruit, iron, dried herbs, chalk, dried rose petal and white pepper all run through this deep, virile Barolo. The power and intensity of Serralunga really come alive on the heady, explosive finish. Bright saline notes linger on the deep, resonant finish. A Barolo of raw, unbridled power, the Lazzarito demands patience.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

Wine Advocate 91 Points | Lazzarito stands out as one of the strongest wines in this portfolio of new releases from Vietti. With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba the 2020 Barolo Lazzarito comes in at a very high threshold in terms of complexity offering dark cherry crème de cassis violet macaron dried herb and lavender. The wine's perfumes remind me of the south of France in summer. It shows elegant tannins streamlined intensity and good acidity. Production is 10626 bottles. (2020). 

Vinous 93 Points | The 2020 Barolo Lazzarito is a blend of fruit picked before and after the early October rains. It marries power and finesse to a notable degree. Dark red fruit menthol licorice crushed rocks and dried herbs open nicely in the glass. This is a bit light for a Serralunga Barolo although the tannic structure is there. This is missing a bit of personality. (2020). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 99 Points | One of the palest and most perfumed Barolos from Vietti with a transparent, ruby-orange hue. This is a super nuanced, elegant, expressive and ethereal Monvigliero that grows on me, with enchanting notes of grilled grapefruit, thyme, frozen raspberries and mineral. A subtle splash of white pepper and mezcal-like smokiness. Really refined and transparent, with some citrus and mineral tensions that are closely knit with the fine, crumbled tannins. So much finesse and detail here, and its complexity will continue to unwind. Really composed, soulful and mind-blowing! An otherworldly, idiosyncratic Barolo that actually reminded me of the finest Gredo garnacha. A big wow that deserves attention. Vegan. Best with a Burgundy glass. Can drink now or from 2027.

Robert Parker 95 Points | A relatively new departure for Vietti, the 2020 Barolo Monvigliero is soft and delicate with pretty floral aromas, dried iris, powdered spice and a hint of tar or road pavement. The inaugural vintage was 2018. Made with 60% whole-cluster fruit during fermentation, the wine has a moment of tartness, punchy highlights, sweet grenadine and cranberry jelly. It ages in large oak casks for 24 months.

Expert Reviews 

Decanter 92 Points |  The oldest part of this vineyard was planted in 1935 but the average age is 34 years. It's located at 400 metres – Ravera is one of the highest MGAs within the communes of Barolo and Novello, which it straddles. This 2019 is intensely perfumed, with dried fruits soaked in blood orange, strawberry jam and a suggestion of grace. The attack confirms this lightly extracted style, with ripe tannins, still sticky at the moment, and long, refreshing acidity leading to a good finish.

Vinous 100 points | The 2019 Barolo Ravera is the most intensely mineral and saline of the Barolos. Crushed rocks, white pepper, flowers, orange zest, red berry fruit and bright acids all run through this finely sculpted, chiseled Barolo. Readers who enjoy Barolos of energy and tension will adore the Ravera. I have always had a soft spot for this Barolo. The 2019 is another magnificent dimension of Vietti's dark horse, a wine that over the last 10-12 years has routinely challenged for the crown here, and often won!

Winemaker Description

Intense garnet red color. Very classic and traditional with a robust structure and intense tannins. Bouquet takes a little time to show itself with slight hints of yeast. It opens slowly in the glass touch of spice and menthol. In the final, the powerful structure and concentration soften the tannins potential. Pairs well with game, red meats, and cheeses.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate 95 Points | The Vietti 2020 Barolo Ravera offers dark fruit cherry and blackcurrant enhanced by soft spice. You also get a sun-kissed note of eggplant tomato leaf and ferrous earth. Ravera displays strong lines with good acidity and firm tannic backbone. It closes dry and ages in large oak botte only. This is one of the most eyeballed MGAs sites. Ravera with its open mountain skyline and cool temperatures is seen as one of the best sites in the appellation especially as the climate changes. This vintage produced exactly 10026 bottles.

Vinous 94 Points | Picked on October 9 and 10 the 2020 Barolo Ravera has plenty of Ravera classicism and tension but also feels a bit light in the mid-palate. Ravera is never a huge wine in body but the depth is often there even if expressed in an understated and more linear manner. The 2020 lacks that depth. Red-toned fruit blood orange mint spice and white pepper lend brilliance throughout.

Winemaker Description

Ruby-red color. The nose is complex and elegant. Notes of dry flowers, hay and rose petal, accompanied by a hint of chamomile. It is fresh, balanced, silky, enveloping and full-bodied on the palate. The tannins are prominent yet well-integrated. The finish is long and persistent. We recommend decanting a few hours before serving.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points | A medium red hue, the 2020 Barolo Rocche Di Castiglione offers more complexity and is more nuanced in the glass, with notes of dried raspberries, tangerine, roses, dried herbs, and cedar. Medium-bodied, it is crunchy with an elegant feel but has balanced structure and retains a somewhat more chiseled feel that’s true to the vintage. It has a lot to enjoy now and also has a wide drinking window. Drink 2025-2050.

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | The Vietti 2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a very delineated wine with sharp ferrous notes, cherry cola, redcurrant and chalky mineral. It is extremely precise in terms of its aromas. The effect is direct and layered, showing different sides and increasing complexity as it opens in the glass. Dried floral notes, purple flower and iris also appear delicately. The chalky tannins feel abrupt at this young stage, but this wine is built to last nonetheless. Only 3,512 bottles were created.

Vinous 96 Points | The 2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a magical wine from a magical site. It marries finesse and volume to a degree that is not found in most of the other wines in this range. Castiglione Falletto is the center of the Barolo production zone, literally and figuratively, the place where many different soil types meet. As a result, the wines often possess mind-blowing balance, which is very much the case here.

Expert Review

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This classic Timorasso showcases a distinctive herbal edge, with layers of aromas and flavors. The nose offers crisp green apple and lemon pith, hinting at the wine's vibrant character. On the palate, the green-apple notes become more pronounced, with a tart quality that adds to the freshness. The lemon pith brings a bitter, zesty dimension, complementing the wine's herbal undertones, which evoke sensations of freshly crushed thyme and sage. These flavors intertwine seamlessly, creating a complex and textured experience that highlights the unique attributes of the Timorasso grape. Drink now–2035. (2022). 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Wine Advocate 92 Points | Spicy and quite marked in terms of its aromatic intensity, the Vietti 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is a more elaborate expression of the grape that has been softened by oak, spice and well-ripened fruit. It ages in large wood botte for two years. The wine has a velvety quality that helps to coat the palate, and you get a lot of stuffing here in terms of texture and lasting fruit flavors. Fruit not directly used for the Barolo Castiglione goes to this wine instead. 

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is a medium red color and opens with a tightly wound profile, offering spicy aromas of cherries, pine, pepper, and dried orange. Medium-bodied, it has good tension on the palate, with fine tannins and a hint of iron-rich, sanguine earth. It’s going to benefit from another 6 months in bottle, and is a tenser expression of this wine that’s true to the vintage. Drink 2024-2030. 

Vinous 90 Points | The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is an especially nervy edition of the Perbacco, the result of a significant presence of Monforte fruit in the blend. Notes of red fruit, orange peel and white pepper sculpt the 2021, finishing with notable tension. 

Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This wine opens with an expressive nose, exuding macerated red cherries, dried roses and sweet and savory spices. The palate unfolds with rounded and lush loads of cherry, where well-integrated

Winemaker Description

Fruity with hints of mint, spices and raspberry. Round, elegant tannins add to a long, refined finish. Robust, intense, powerful in youth; complex, elegant with ageing. Pair with stews, game dishes, roasted red meats and mature cheeses.

Winemaker Description 

Moscato d’Asti D.O.C.G Grape variety: Moscato 100%

A bright straw-yellow color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. Intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach, apricot), floral notes (rose petals, acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with modest acidity, good balance and complexity.

Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.r

Sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years.

Limestone- and clay-rich soil.

A percentage of around 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation.

The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration.