Piedmont Wine

Winemaker Description

The 2019 Bernardot is dark and austere with wonderful nuances of ripe red fruit. Tannins are very silky and delicate in this 2019, showing a lot of finesse, typical from the Barbaresco area. It’s an elegant and very expressive Barbaresco. One of the favorite vineyards of winemaker Alessandro Ceretto.

Expert Reviews

Wine Advocate Monica Larner 95 Points writes | The organic Ceretto 2019 Barbaresco Bernadot shows a broader character and a more open-knit personality compared to the Asili. There is a lot of dark fruit, spice, truffle and earth to frame the medium-build of this elegant wine.  (2019).

Wine Spectator 94 Points | A bright red, delivering a core of cherry and raspberry fruit supported by earth, mineral and wild herbs. Intense, complex and dense, this is solidly built and persists with an aftertaste of dark fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2025. (2019).

Winemaker Description 

A superb and age-worthy Barolo by Giacomo Conterno, from the Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba. 100% Nebbiolo. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in large oak casks. Red fruits, roses, tar, licorice and spices notes. Powerful and complex. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2018 

Expert Reviews 97 Points Wine Advocate | Of the three Barolo samples I tasted from barrel (including Arione and Cerretta, which are also from Serralunga d'Alba), the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Francia was the furthest behind and the hardest to pin down at this stage in its infancy. I have opened my range of scores accordingly to compensate for the magical unknowns that are likely to occur as the wine moves toward greater harmony and integration before its commercial release. The wine is linear and pointedly focused, lacking the width and volume it will gain when given more time to flesh out and relax. The aromas are also quite primary and simple at this point, with dark cherry and even a hint of ripe strawberry ceding gradually to grilled herb, blue flower and baked brick. This vintage of Barolo Francia will require patience. (2018).

95 Points Wine Spectator | Delivers depth and power, with menthol and wild herbs shading cherry and plum flavors. The balance tips toward the tannins in the end, yet this doesn't feel overly astringent, just more structured than many '18s. Picks up a mineral element as this lingers on the finish. Be patient. (2018).

95+ Points Vinous | The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here. (2018).

Monica Larner writes:  The Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Francia has opened beautifully since I last tasted this wine at the winery two years ago. It was closed back then (no surprise since I tasted it as an unfinished sample), but with the distance of time, the wine has blossomed to show blackcurrant, cassis, aniseed, blue flower and pencil shaving. The Francia is known for its magical combination of power and nuance, both delivered with seamless intensity. This vintage offers a savory component with hints of toasted spice or spent ember. The tannins are fine and polished.  - Robert Parker Wine Advocate 95

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2024

Vinous 90 Points | The 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba is impeccable. Bright and floral, with a lovely core of purplish fruit, Scavino's Dolcetto is a delight. Drink it over the next few years while the flavors remain vibrant.

Importer Notes

    •    100% Dolcetto from 70-year-old vines in Marne di Sant’Agata soils (a type of calcareous clay) within the Bricco Ambrogio vineyard of Roddi d’Alba
    •    The grapes are hand-harvested during the second week of September
    •    Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel with temperature control and indigenous yeasts.
    •    Maturation takes place in stainless steel for six months
    •    950 cases produced annually

Memo Summary Notes

The Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2024 is a quintessential Piedmontese "everyday" red. While the Scavino family is world-renowned for their complex, long-aging Barolos, their Dolcetto is designed to be consumed young, vibrant, and fresh.
Pair with this is the ultimate pizza and pasta wine. It also pairs perfectly with charcuterie, roasted pork, or mushroom risotto

The 2021 Barbaresco from Pio Cesare comes primarily from vineyards in Treiso, with additional fruit sourced from classic Barbaresco sites. Fermented in mostly large oak casks and some neutral barriques for 30 months, this wine captures the elegance and structure that Nebbiolo is famous for. Medium-bodied yet powerful, it balances immediate drinkability with long-term aging potential.

This vintage shows the winery’s signature precision and layered complexity, offering decades of development while rewarding earlier enjoyment for those who decant.

Tasting Notes

A complex and aromatic Barbaresco with notes of iodine, oyster shell, black cherries, dark brambleberries, clove, dried orange peel, and subtle earthy undertones. On the palate, firm and racy tannins carry flavors of layered red and black fruit, sweet tobacco, and woodland spices. The finish is long, structured, and elegant, with Nebbiolo’s classic linear tension and age-worthy depth.

Ratings

• James Suckling – 96 Points
  “Aromas of iodine and oyster shell mingle with black cherries and dark brambleberries. Medium-bodied with firm, racy tannins. Drinkable now but even better after 2028.”

• Wine Advocate – 94 Points
  “Presents a solid core of dark fruit, cherry, and redcurrant, with spice and dried rose petal elegantly layered. Classic vintage expression with firm tannins, 30 months in oak, and long-term aging potential.”

• Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
  “Layer upon layer of red and black berries, sweet tobacco, and woodland spice. Pure Nebbiolo power shows true colors on the palate, with firm tannins and infinite depth. Drink Now–2040.”

• Jeb Dunnuck – 92 Points
  “Bright red, focused, spicy, and pure. Notes of wild raspberries, clove spice, dried orange peel, and dried earth. Medium-bodied, structured, and built to age. Drink 2025–2040.”

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Decanter 93 Points | A blend of parcels all within the village of Verduno, this Barolo sees a classic vinification in stainless steel with a 30-day maceration and ageing in Slavonian oak casks. It's a lovely representation of the township and makes a fine point of entry for the estate’s Monvigliero and Massara bottlings. Lifted scents of mint and pepper take a grounding turn as truffle comes into focus. The palate is awash with strawberry and cherry, while lively acidity vaults and powdery tannins provide an elegant frame. Zesty citrus prolongs the finish. Well executed and joyfully approachable already. Drinking Window: 2025-2033.

JebDunnuck.com by Audrey Frick writes 92 Points | A bright red color, the 2021 Barolo reveals more complexity on the nose, with focused notes of red cherries, cracked pepper, toasted spice, and thyme. The palate brings forward a nice level of energy, with medium-bodied richness, the refreshing spice of acidity, well-defined tannins, and a very nice finish. It has a lot to offer now or over the coming 10 years. Drink: 2025-2035.

Memo Summary Notes

Regional Classics: Agnolotti del plin with butter and sage, or Tajarin with shaved truffles.

Proteins: Roasted veal, duck breast with balsamic glaze, or mushroom risotto.

Cheese: Delicate but earthy cheeses like Toma or younger Pecorino.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

The Wine Enthusiast by Kerin O'Keeffe 95 Points | Editors' Choice | Delicate aromas of blue flower, red berry and a hint of underbrush waft out of the glass. Elegant and firmly structured, the savory palate offers crushed raspberry, ripe cherry and baking spice alongside taut tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. 2027–2039.

Vinous by Antonio Galloni writes 94 Points | The 2019 Barbaresco Rabajà is another compelling wine in this range from Castello di Verduno. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, rose petal, mint, spice, earthiness, crushed rocks and pipe tobacco are all beautifully lifted. Medium in body, with compelling inner sweetness and tons of finesse, the 2019 is positively stellar. Best of all, it will drink well with minimal cellaring, which is unusual for a Rabajà.

Decanter 92 Points | Great complexity of pot pourri, wild strawberry, cherry and licorice. Tannins are firm yet fine, bold and fleshy with energy and pep too. Austere yet precise finish.

Memo Summary Notes

The 2019 Castello di Verduno Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is a masterpiece of traditional winemaking, sourced from one of the most famous and powerful crus in Barbaresco.

While the estate's standard Barbaresco and the "Rabajà-Bas" bottling are impressive, the Riserva is only produced in exceptional years. The 2019 vintage in Piedmont is widely considered "classic" and high-structured, making this Riserva a true collector's item with decades of life ahead.

Audrey Frick - Jeb Dunnuck - 96 Points | The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Paje pours a deeper red hue and is polished on the nose with aromas of black cherries candied berries polished leather sweet herbs and balsamic herbs. Usually this site has a brighter more floral character but here it has a bit more richness with an outstanding balance of savoriness velvety textured tannins and dark stony underpinnings seamlessly weaving together through the long finish. It's an exceptional wine in this vintage and should have a wide window for enjoyment over the coming 20 years.

Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media - 95 Points | The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is a classic wine from this site. Deeply spiced and balsamic notes meld into a core of dark, sepia-toned Nebbiolo fruit. A Barbaresco of real presence and substance, the Pajè makes itself felt. It's one of my early dark horse favorites in this range from Produttori del Barbaresco. (Drink between 2025-2035).

Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 94 Points | The 2020 Pajé is rich even sumptuous offering cherry raspberry blood orange and floral notes squarely more on the fruity side than savory. Fleshy firm and long underscored by dense tannins. Bruce Sanderson This is all about power and structure with cherry blackberry earth wild herb and tar flavors buoyed by a dense matrix of tannins. The fruit is there peeking through the maze briefly before the tannins take hold on the finish; never obtrusive they drive the lingering finish.

Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 93 Points | The Pajè vineyard faces the Tanaro River and is tucked at back of a narrow theater of vines. The site is often characterized by a floral note of rose and violet that comes thought nicely in the Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè. With those sweet floral notes comes an open-knit mouthfeel and a more immediate drinking style with soft silky tannins. In fact this was the second of nine wines served in a flight that started with the lightest Riservas and ended with the most powerful wines.

Kerin O'Keeffe - 95 Points | The 2020 Pajè Riserva is a beautiful wine starting with its enticing scents of dog rose, violet, eucalyptus, new leather and white pepper. A bit firmer than Pora, the savory palate delivers juicy red cherry, strawberry compote, blood orange and wild herb before an almost salty finish. Fine-grained tannins provide. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media - 95 Points | The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a massive, packed wine. Graphite, crushed rocks, dried herbs and cedar open first. Ovello tends to produce a more linear style of Barbaresco, and that is very much the case here as well. However, the 2020 also possesses notable depth and layers in the mid-palate. It's a gorgeous wine in the making. (Drink between 2025-2035)

Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate - 95 Points | The Ovello vineyard has some northern exposures and generally represents a cooler growing site. You can expect intense fruit flavors and more prominent tannins as a result. The Produttori del Barbaresco 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello fits the bill. Vine growth starts much later and usually lasts longer to produce dark intensity and bold aromas in the wines. In the cold years, the tannins can be aggressive, but in the hot years like 2020, they show better balance. This wine offers ferrous notes of iron and rusty nail followed by cherry-driven sweetness.

Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator - 95 Points | The 2020 Ovello boasts pure cherry and raspberry fruit plus accents of white pepper herbs and mineral. Deep rich and broad shouldered it builds to a long finish with fine grip and energy. Aromas and flavors of hay cherry raspberry and rose are the hallmarks of this elegant succulent red. A fine layer of tannins provides lift and the flavors are well-delineated through the mineral-infused finish. Shows terrific intensity and tension.

Audrey Frick - Jeb Dunnuck - 95 Points | The nose of the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello offers a more woodsy profile with aromas of pine leather black raspberries sweet floral perfume and licorice candies. The palate is compact and nervous with dark mineral accents refreshing ripe acidity and a long finish. It is going to benefit from another couple of years and show its best over the following 10 although I wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve for 15-20 years either."

Decanter Magazine - 94 Points | Ovello is by far Produttori del Barbaresco's most important cru. Eleven members cultivate 20 hectares on both sides of the ridge: southeast- and southwest-facing. Exposed to the cold air from the north with calcareous soil rich in clay it typically gives a robust potently structured expression. While true to its terroir the 2020 harnesses some of that power making for a harmonious though sturdy whole. Grilled herbs savory dark earth and dense and ripe dark cherry are all held together by well fastened chalky tannins. This is one for the cellar.

Kerin O'Keeffe - 95 Points | Red berry forest floor new leather and spice shape the fragrant nose on the fantastic 2020 Ovello Riserva. Showing the structure derived from the cru's predominately clayey soils it has a backbone of firm but refined tannins that accompany juicy Marasca cherry tangerine and spicy notes of star anise."

Renato Cigliuti may produce some of the best damn Barbaresco you’ve never heard of, but he is, first and foremost, a farmer. In fact, he comes from four generations of farmers who have tilled the Langhe soils to support their families. So, it came as a great shock to Renato’s family and their neighbors in the early 1960s when Renato decided to begin green harvesting, a practice utilized by very few producers at the time. His neighbors wanted to have him committed for “throwing away money,” but Renato had a clear idea of what he wanted to accomplish, having always believed that the local Langhe soil was capable of producing high quality, long-lasting wines.  Renato warded off his neighbors by explaining to them that if he couldn’t have both quality AND quantity, he preferred to opt for quality.  And quality is exactly what he got when he made his first release of 300 bottles of 1964 Barbaresco.

Over the years Renato did not expand his winery a great deal, mostly because he didn’t think his daughters would be interested in working the land. But life, as it often does, surprised him. Today the winery is run by Claudia and Silvia Cigliuti, with Renato and his wife Dina supervising. Both of his daughters began working on the farm in their spare time as students and fell in love with the countryside – just like their father. And that was that! Now, they are the next generation to bring the wines to the market, and Renato just turned 80 years old!

For the Cigliuti family, 90% of the winemaking process happens in the vineyard. Only in this way can the final product capture the characteristics of a vintage and the identity of a terroir. Work in the cellar is kept to a bare minimum; no selected yeasts are used, and grapes ferment in stainless steel at a controlled temperature. All of the wines age in oak. Total hectares farmed by the family are 7.5; 6 in Serraboella and 1.5 in Bricco di Neive, from which about 30,000 bottles are produced annually.

The 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo has bright fruit with excellent tension. Floral and precise, it will develop in the glass; cherry and spice develop on the mid-palate with superb expression of flavor and subtle length. It is drinking lovely now, but will likely keep well and develop for many years. 

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

The Wine Spectator 95 Points | This is supple and complex, delivering cherry, strawberry, summer meadow, earth, leather and iron aromas and flavors. Firmly structured, this picks up a hint of licorice as it winds down on the lingering finish, with tannins that are solid yet civilized. Shows fine potential. Best from 2028 through 2046. 1,670 cases made, 540 cases imported.

Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points | The medium red 2020 Barolo Cascina Nuova is spiced and fruity with notes of ripe grenadine, pink peppercorn, dried apricots, and polished leather. Open and approachable, it offers ripe, supple tannins, even acidity, and a clean finish with good length. It’s a very charming wine with a wide drinking window for enjoyment over the next 10 years.

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This 100% Dolcetto comes from the Commune of Treiso, on the Monte Aribaldo hill. It sits at 350 meters above sea level and has a south-facing exposure. The even altitude and its prominent position allow the grapes to ripen consistently and give ample body to the Dolcetto.

The wine undergoes vinification on skins with a six/seven days fermentation with floating cap at a controlled temperature; pumping over. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full after the alcoholic fermentation. The wine is aged in a combination of stainless steel and cement for five months before a brief bottle aging. 

Fragrances of dark berries, violets, and earthy notes rise delicately from the glass. The vibrant and lively palate offers flavors of red cherries, crushed raspberries, and a subtle truffle undertone, complemented by refreshing acidity and smooth, refined tannins.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 99 Points | The 2021 Barolo Francia is a vertical, explosive Barolo endowed with tons of energy. Bright acids and fine beams of tannin provide the framework for this striking young Barolo. All the elements are so well balanced. Time in the glass brings out an interplay of mineral-drenched energy, persistence and textural breadth. There's a lot of structure, and yet the tannins feel fine-grained and finessed. I especially admire its translucent energy. Magnificent.

Michaela Morris of Decanter Magazine writes 98 Points | As with 2020, Roberto Conterno made all three single-MGA wines in 2021: Cerretta, Arione and Francia. Bottled in May of 2024, the latter is subtlety demonstrative on the nose, albeit with some coaxing. Traces of pressed violet, pomegranate, iron and sage blossom are all detectable. The palate is appropriately taut and strict, though not in complete rigidity. Dark, pristine fruit is densely packed, intricately woven with the refined yet steely tannins which bend back around to the front of the palate, hemming it all in. Savoury, mineral and spicy on the finish. The estate will also release a 2021 Monfortino Riserva – though it is difficult to imagine how it will top this Francia.

Audrey Frick writes:  Tasted from bottle, the 2021 Barolo Francia is a jeweled ruby color, while the nose is very pure, inviting, and perhaps a touch shy, offering notes of pure red berries, cherry liqueur, sweet herbs, and rocky earth. The structure is quite energetic and eclectic in energy, and the palate is just stunning now, with lovely sweetness, although it’s fully dry.  - Jeb Dunnuck 97

Producer Description 

Barbera, along with Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, is widely planted throughout Piemonte. Many Barolo and Barbaresco producers will also make a Barbera mainly because the aging requirement is far shorter allowing them to see a profit from the harvest earlier. In the commune of Nizza, the Barbera grape steps into the spotlight and takes center stage. This is where Barbera reaches its heights of glory.

The wine presents itself with an intense garnet red hue, complemented by alluring purple reflections. Its bouquet is both deep and intricate, revealing a delightful combination of fruity aromas dominated by cherry and plum, while subtle undertones of chocolate add an intriguing layer of complexity. Upon tasting, the wine showcases a full-bodied and harmonious profile, where the luscious flavors of red fruits intertwine seamlessly with almond-like notes. This captivating blend culminates in a pleasantly harmonious and enduring finish, leaving a lasting impression on the palate.

Expert Review

97 Points Wine Spectator | This pure and stylish Barolo features rose, strawberry, cherry, mineral and underbrush aromas and flavors. Though silky in texture, this is well-structured, with integrated tannins and harmony. This is all about finesse and texture, with excellent length and a mineral aftertaste.

Winemaker Description

The soils are of marine origin from the Tertiary era, characterized by bluish marl (at a depth ranging from 1 to 3 meters), calcareous, compact structure. The stratification is dense and varied, rich in mineral salts and natural springs.

Barbaresco Rio Sordo receives careful grape selection in the vineyard – 100% Nebbiolo. The immediately noticeable characteristics are the considerable complexity and depth, accompanied by elegance and finesse.

Expert Review

Robert Parker Wine Advocate 94+ Monica Larner | A release of about 3,000 bottles, the 2018 Barbaresco Rio Sordo shows the finesse and delicate fruit that is so well expressed by this estate. The bouquet is redolent of rose hip and crushed flowers, and you get cassis, wild cherry and dried pomegranate as well. There is a giant layer of minty herb, and then the wine finally relaxes with polished tones of crushed stone and white licorice. Cascina delle Rose makes a fine bottle of Barbaresco. 

Expert Rating

Vinous Stephen Tanzer writes 93 Points | (from 63-year-old vines in the center of the vineyard; aged in a combination of old barriques and new larger casks) Sweet aromas of redcurrant, cherry, smoke and mint, all lifted by high notes of orange peel, rose petal and minerals. Concentrated, vibrant and gripping, with a silky quality and noteworthy precision to the flavors of red fruits, spices and minerals. Harmonious acidity gives a juicy, sappy quality and real elegance to this densely packed Barbaresco. Here the tannins are considerably finer than those of the normale, and the long, juicy, gripping finish leaves behind a captivating floral perfume. A beauty. 

This is from a massale selection, including a bit of the lighter, floral rose clone of nebbiolo while the rest of the vineyard features five different clones. 

Winemaker Description

Sparkling Moscato at it's finest! It has a lovely sweetness that is balanced by fine bubbles and fresh acidity. Drink it chilled, on its own, or with whatever you're cooking for dinner!
  

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

James Suckling 94 Points | This exhibits violets and tar, as well as underbrush and a distant bitter-chocolate note. The palate is angular and incisive, well-constructed with a harmonious interplay between the focused acidity, fine grained tannins and delineated, fleshy fruit. Precise. Best ever from here. Better in 2028.

The Wine Spectator by Bruce Sanderson 94 Points | A sleek, elegant red, silky in texture and linear in profile. Rose, macerated cherry, strawberry, mineral and spice flavors abound, while a line of energetic tannins shows up on the long finish. This wine's purity and structure show the potential of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck by Audrey Frick 93 Points |  One of the overachievers of the vintage for a regional Barolo and a strong contender for top of the year lists, the 2021 Barolo Ludo pours a reflective brick red color and is attractive on the nose with notes of cinnamon sticks, fresh cherries, mossy earth, and anise. The palate offers a good balance of richness in the structure of its medium-bodied frame, with ripe tannins, lovely clarity of fruit, and refreshing ripe acidity. A gorgeous entry-level Barolo, it’s stunning now and has the potential to age with ease over the next 12-15 years.

Memo Summary Notes

The Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo "Ludo" 2021 is a significant release, as 2021 is being hailed as an exceptional, "best-ever" vintage for this specific bottling. Unlike Einaudi’s single-vineyard crus (like Cannubi or Bussia), Ludo is a blend of Nebbiolo from younger vines across those famous sites, designed to be more approachable in its youth.

Why "Ludo"? The name comes from the Latin ludus, meaning "playful."

Pair with Wild mushroom risotto or tajarin pasta with truffles.

Meats: Braised beef short ribs or herb-crusted lamb chops.

Cheese: Aged Grana Padano or Castelmagno.

Winemaker Description 

Pajé is particularly rich in calcareous marl soil with a high content of active limestone. The vineyard covers a total of 1.83 Ha (4.52 Acres) with unique soil and microclimate. The amphitheater of Pajé opens onto the Tanaro river valley which mitigates the cold winters and hot summers.

Pajé is a small strip of land facing South West. The vines for this wine are between 25 and 50 years of age and today the average ages of the vines is over forty years old. The roots are sourced by used the massage wood system by using only clippings that we have pruned from the Paje vineyard.

Memo Summary Notes 

The 2020 Roagna Barbaresco Pajé is a legendary release from one of the most artisanal and traditionalist producers in the Langhe. Luca Roagna is known for "monastic" patience, often aging his wines for five years or more before they ever leave the cellar.

The 2020 vintage for Roagna is characterized by a "velvet glove" elegance—it is more approachable in its youth than the structured 2019s, showing silkier tannins while maintaining the estate's signature power.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022

Decanter 93 Points | The 2022 is a charming, elegant rendition of the vintage expressing raspberry and strawberry with snaps of coriander and allspice. Seamless in flow, the palate is underscored by sweet acid and framed by soft, silky tannins. Juicy and drinkable now but with enough grip for the next seven to eight years. A blend of the estate’s parcels in the distinguished MGAs of Rabajà, Rabajà-bas and Faset, Castello di Verduno’s classic Barbaresco ages in large Slavonian oak casks. 

Vinous 92 Points | The 2022 Barbaresco is a gracious, classy wine that captures the essence of the house style. Crushed flowers, sweet, red-toned fruit, orange peel, spice and rose petals are some of the notes that grace this understated, sensual Barbaresco. Soft tannins add to a feeling of approachability. What a pretty and engaging wine this is. 

Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points | Pouring a bright medium ruby hue, the 2022 Barbaresco opens to notes of ripe cranberries, cinnamon, orange peel, and fresh flowers. The palate retains very nice freshness in this hot, dry vintage, with refreshing acidity, ripe tannins, and a clean, medium-bodied feel with a graceful and fruity finish. It’s a highly charming offering to drink over the coming 6-8 years. 

Memo Summary Notes

Verduno is a small town and the histories of the wineries located there are intertwined.

The Castle of Verduno, constructed in the early 1500s, was under the jurisdiction of the House of Savoy for much of its history until the Burlotto family purchased it in 1909. 

The winery’s philosophy is to produce wines that speak of place in a classic way and are also sustainable and protect the land. As such, they practice organic farming and are meticulous both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Minimal SO2 and also vinifies with indigenous yeast. Their wines are firmly traditional in style though never rustic; in fact just the opposite, they retain a rare elegance and purity.

Pair with 

• Traditional: Tajarin pasta with a butter and sage sauce or a rich meat ragù.

• Savory: Roast pork tenderloin, braised beef short ribs, or a wild mushroom risotto.

Winemaker Description 

Aromas of red currant, raspberry and cherry flow from the glass. Notes of dark chocolate, fresh thyme and warm forest floor are joined. 

The Pescaja family works according to the three letters in their name, SCA (Sole, Cuore, Anima). Care for nature and simplicity is our foundation. That is why the sun is so important to us, it is synonymous with terroir and microclimate. Heart, instead, the energy of every new company is and is it the creative ideas. We use our spaces to give the products soul and personality, which are strong and unique in their style.

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Aromatic with scents of rose and violet, it acquires distinct spicy notes of white pepper. The palate is balanced and soft, warm and persistent. Unusual and unmistakable it evolves over time becoming more and more refined up to five years after the harvest, while preserving the essence and the fragrance of the grape of origin.

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Deep red with purple tones in the beginning, changing to garnet red throughout its aging process. The bouquet brings out notes of berries, marmalade, violets, vanilla, fig and almonds, with slight smoky hues. Dry, elegant, harmonious and full-bodied with typical acidic notes during its juvenile stage. Becomes more round and complex over the years obtaining a soft finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021 

Audrey Frick of JebDunnuck.com writes 99 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi marks the return of this cuvée after the 2020 crop was destroyed by hail. The nose is layered and complex with notes of clove spice, ripe red raspberry liqueur, blood orange, framboise, peppery spices, and pressed floral notes. The palate has lovely, refined concentration, ripe tannins, haunting notes of strawberries that last long on the finish, and notes of leather. While it has the fruit and freshness to drink now, it certainly has the structure to age. It’s one of the more contemplative wines in the range to enjoy over the coming decades.

Keron O'Keeffe  99 Points | Fragrant and loaded with finesse, the 2021 Acclivi is simply magnificent, starting with its beautiful scents of rose, forest berry, menthol, star anise and whiffs recalling sweetgrass. A blend of selected Nebbiolo from the estate’s best and oldest vineyards in Verduno, in the Monvigliero, Neirane, Rocche dell’Olmo and Boscatto sites, the chiseled, elegantly structured and delicious palate reflects the nose, delivering red cherry, raspberry, licorice and crushed mint accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well balanced and fuels even more intensity while a cinnamon note lingers on the finish. This is a captivating, extraordinary wine and the best Acclivi I have had to date.

Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate writes 97 Points | This wine was not produced in 2020. The Comm. G.B. Burlotto 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a blend of old-vine fruit from Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo, three MGA sites in the village of Verduno. I tasted this sample at two stages with 24 hours between them, and the change was impressive. The wine goes from feeling tight and almost squeaky to relaxed, fragrant and ethereal with aeration. The bouquet reveals layers of lilac, raspberry tart with custard and finely shaved pencil. Drink 2027-2055.

James Suckling writes 96 Points | A graceful Barolo that shows aromas of smoke, licorice, violets, delicate red currants and strawberries. It’s restrained and elegant on the palate, with a slight sweetness, a medium to full body, refreshing acidity and ripe, chewy tannins. Tight and savory. There is a huge structure that’s well covered by the fruit. Drinkable now, but best from 2026 or 2027.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media writes 94 Points | The 2021 Barolo Acclivi is a suave, sensual wine. All of this fruit is from vineyards in Verduno. That is very much evident in the wine's aromatic profile and overall weight. Blood orange, rose petal, mint, chalk and spice give the 2021 very pretty top notes. I admire the overall depth and brilliance here. This is a very serious Barolo. Drink 2026-2041.

Winemaker Description 

Ferrando’s white-label Carema is among the most elegant expressions of Nebbiolo in existence, combining ample density with a very Alpine sense of nimbleness. Never an overwhelmingly powerful wine, “Etichetta Bianca” derives its sense of structure more from its acid-fruit tension than its tannins, offering satisfyingly savory fruit buttressed by vigorous mountain acidity.

Fermented in stainless steel without temperature control and using only indigenous yeasts, it spends three full years in a combination of 20-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti and used 500-liter French barrels.

Winemaker Description 

Barbera, along with Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, is widely planted throughout Piemonte. Many Barolo and Barbaresco producers will also make a Barbera mainly because the aging requirement is far shorter allowing them to see a profit from the harvest earlier. In the commune of Nizza, the Barbera grape steps into the spotlight and takes center stage. This is where Barbera reaches its heights of glory.

The Frasca family has 22 hectares of vineyard in Nizza, with vines averaging 30 years of age. Their 2020 Barbera Nizza DOCG opens with an inviting bouquet of dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, intertwined with notes of violet, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, showcasing intense flavors of ripe black fruits, licorice, and a touch of dark chocolate, balanced by firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and complex, with lingering hints of fruit, spice, and subtle oak nuances.

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. 

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). 

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.