Piedmont new releases

This is an exciting 1st vintage release and it doesn’t disappoint, it is a shame that only 2000 bottles were made. The vines are situated at the top of the hill and have a high percentage of sand, producing a wine with great vivacity. There is a finesse and salinity to the core with clove and liquorice spice supporting the sour cherry and pomegranate aromas. The savoury, chalky tannins provide an elegant structure to this breathtaking Barolo.

A parcel within a single vineyard. Rocche sits at the top of the hill and has the oldest vines within the vineyard. Complex layers of red plums, cherries, rose and sweet clove and cinnamon spice. There is a herbal note on the palate as well as a leather that adds intrigue, with firm powdery tannins that are quite prominent now, but will almost certainly calm down in a couple of years. This is a classy wine that needs time.

Volumes are extremely limited with only 3600 bottles produced. There is lots going on in this wine, very intense and concentrated yet it still possesses poise and focus. Dark red berry fruits, liquorice and subtle tobacco notes are supported with clove spice. Tannins are firm and need time but have a high quality chalkiness to them and the richness on the palate balances out these rugged edges quite nicely.

Enrico fell in love with this wine during the harvest. It’s so fresh and pure, with exceptionally fine, silky, saline tannins, and remarkable length. There’s complexity too: citrus fruit and red berries, and then a hint of seaspray. Wonderful, and balanced on the finish.

From a single plot of the celebrated Bricco Boschis vineyard, the San Giuseppe is rightfully revered as one of Piedmont's greatest wines. This is so intense and concentrated, with grippy tannins, yet the elegance and refinement that marks out a truly great wine. Complex, long, and detailed, this has to be tried.

This comes from Bussia, Mosconi, and Ginestra: a plot selection. A beautiful nose, with very fine tannins, and lots of juiciness to the fruit on the finish. Beautifully balanced, and pretty long. An excellent value Barolo.

From a one hectare site in Baudana, in Serralunga d’Alba, and you immediately feel the difference in tannic structure. There’s saline, limestone texture, lots of purity of fruit, and a red strawberry wash across the palate. Very not, with a tonic-like note on the finish.

From a higher vineyard than Pajana, this has more clay in the soil. As such, it’s a purer, more typical expression of Ginestra, and of Monforte. There’s a lot of intensity and grip here, and also lovely salinity on the finish.

Just 5,000 bottles were made of this, from 350 metres above sea level, from the Ginestra cru. This is rich, with softer and more gentle tannins than Ciabot Mentin. You feel the saline, Monforte tannins here, but without them being overpowering. This is a brilliantly balanced Barolo.

This is 100% Nebbiolo, all from vineyards that could be used for Barolo. And in 2022, with not Runcot produced, this will also include the estate’s best fruit: so this is a real bargain. Stunning purity, and a delicious wash of fruit.

This is a benchmark Chiniera, with sandy tannins and loads of tension and energy. It’s slightly closed at the moment, but the energy on the palate, and the silky fruit, both point at the remarkable potential of this wine.

Picked two weeks earlier than the Chiniera, on much more classic Ginestra soils, this is darker and more balsamic, with lots of wild fruit, an intensity, and also a sense of real purity. Energetic and structured on the finish, this is very long indeed.

Located in the cru of Rive di Santa Maria in the village of La Morra, the old vine fruit and the La Morra location give this Barolo an edgier and darker profile. Bramble fruits and garrigue aromas are evident on this wine, with hints of truffle giving additional layers. Tannins are firm and chalky and need a couple of years to resolve, but when ready, this wine will be outstanding.

The grapes are sourced from Serralunga, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. The majority comes from Serralunga and produces a wine of elegance and with a salinity that lingers on the finish. Wild herbs, savoury spice and crushed strawberries are supported by an attractive rose perfume. This wine is energetic and simply stunning.

The grapes are sourced from Serralunga, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. The majority comes from Serralunga and produces a wine of elegance and with a salinity that lingers on the finish. Wild herbs, savoury spice and crushed strawberries are supported by an attractive rose perfume. This wine is energetic and simply stunning.

Sourced from 3 vineyards (La Volta, Fossati and Coste di Vergne) with different expositions of up to 480 metres altitude benefitting from fossil and limestone marl soils, this wine is the most approachable in its youth, yet due to the wine’s innate quality has plenty of life in it. Vivid sour cherry, pomegranate and redcurrants are supported by a lively, crisp acidity and compact tannins. Wild flowers persist on the finish of this rather enjoyable Barolo.

Situated between Cannubi and Bussia, the Coste de Rose MGA is considered by many Barolo aficionados as an undiscovered gem. The most floral in style, supported by blood orange notes and a mineral and saline core, this is a tightly wound Barolo that oozes class. The tannins may need a little time to resolve, yet they provide the structure that will enable this wine to age for a long time in bottle.

Sourced from 3 vineyards (La Volta, Fossati and Coste di Vergne) with different expositions of up to 480 metres altitude benefitting from fossil and limestone marl soils, this wine is the most approachable in its youth, yet due to the wine’s innate quality has plenty of life in it. Vivid sour cherry, pomegranate and redcurrants are supported by a lively, crisp acidity and compact tannins. Wild flowers persist on the finish of this rather enjoyable Barolo.

At just under 5 hectares, this vineyard is one of the highest in the region and closest to the Alps, often one of the last vineyards to be picked, which is the ideal for the long ripening Nebbiolo variety. Expect violets, blackcurrants with a mineral and saline backbone. Leather and anise support the bright fruit perfume, with serious but very well handled tannins.

At just under 5 hectares, this vineyard is one of the highest in the region and closest to the Alps, often one of the last vineyards to be picked, which is the ideal for the long ripening Nebbiolo variety. Expect violets, blackcurrants with a mineral and saline backbone. Leather and anise support the bright fruit perfume, with serious but very well handled tannins.

This single vineyard in the heart of Novello is Vajra’s first vineyard to ripen thanks to southern amphitheatre position. There is a lot happening with this wine, it has layers of sweet and savoury spice and a pepper note that continues on the finish. There is a richness that is beautifully balanced and brought into check with the firm, chalky tannins and lively acidity.

More intense and powerful than the other Barolos, this has lots of density of tannins, with a texture that’s almost talc-like. There’s so much going on here, but it feels more closed and brooding than the other wines. A classic Bricat, this will need time.

Tasted as a barrel sample. This has a lot of concentration, with real intensity and purity to the fruit. It comes from the vineyard surrounding the winery. There are Serralunga-like chalky tannins, and crisp acidity, from a vineyard that’s around 450metres-420metres above sea level.

Softer and more elegant than the Castelletto, this has lovely herbal lift and there’s wonderful balance to the fruit. There’s a lightness of touch to the tannins, but they build and coat the mouth. This is a wonderful vintage for Gramolere.