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.

Having bought the vineyard at the end of 2010 and replanted the following year, 2014 was the 1st vintage of this now much sought after wine. The layers of complexity well surpass the youth of the vines. This is quite an expressive, almost showy style of Barolo with bramble fruit, dried rose and hints of truffle. The tannins have a sweetness to them, but have a structure and firmness that 2019 brings. Exceptionally long.

With south and south west exposure, on limestone and clay rich soil at the top of the Lazzarito vineyard, this wine displays a spicy and pepper notes combined with wild flowers and herbs. Tannins are quite pronounced currently, but there is a restrained concentration that will allow this wine to mellow in bottle. A rather alluring wine.

These over 60 year old vines are situated in the famed Lazzarito vineyard and you can really feel the quality of this vineyard come through in this wine. There is a lot of energy and vibrancy and layers of complexity with anise, wild flowers, sour cherries and smoky notes. Tannins are firm and quite present currently, but you can’t help but be impressed with their handling and the wine’s balance.

The south east facing vineyard, situated next to the Cerretta vineyard benefits from the morning sun, producing a wine with great juxtaposition. Juicy red berry and plum fruits are also supported by layers of violet and wild herbs as well as a mineral finish. Tightly wound core, in time the firm tannins are sure to resolve rather beautifully.

This cru vineyard site makes up just under a third of Manuel’s holdings and is situated on the western edge of the region. Attractive rose and crushed raspberry perfume combine with cranberry, damsons and cinnamon spice. The tannins are chalky and firm and woven into the wine’s concentrated core.

The grapes are sourced from 9 vineyards spread across 5 villages, although predominantly Serralunga. Rose and violets and subtle dried cranberry combined with liquorice spice and truffle notes. The tannins are significant, yet the wine’s concentrated core is more than adequate to withstand their presence.

From a single vineyard from plots within the warmer amphitheatre parcels in Serralunga, this wine is more exuberant and richer in style compared to the traditional Barolo. Expect balsamic and savoury spice notes as well as more pomegranate and dried flowers on the finish.

The 2019 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco is a very special wine. Delicate and fine-boned, but with incredible intensity and purity, there’s talc-like tannins, and incredible energy here. This is a wine you should secure: a stunning bottling from a brilliant vintage.

This is very spicy and savoury, with fine-boned tannins, and a lovely sense of purity. There’s lots of minerality, and energy on the finish. There’s a savouriness, but also a texture and length. Just such a brilliant wine, particularly at this price.

From one of the most famous sites in Neive, this shows the classic character of the commune. Very delicate and fragrant, this shows the classic tar and roses that we love in so much great Nebbiolo. Very pretty, and alpine tinged.

The vineyard in Barbaresco that arguably made Roagna’s name. Pajé is a small strip of land facing South West, with an average age of the vines for this wine of 40 years old. It’s a benchmark Barbaresco, with lots of purity and delicacy to the fruit. Don’t miss this.

Darker and more brooding than the Gallina, this has more spice and sour cherry and lots of grip. Savoury, with impressive potential, and lots of dried herbs on the finish. A serious Barbaresco.

Darker and more brooding than the Gallina, this has more spice and sour cherry and lots of grip. Savoury, with impressive potential, and lots of dried herbs on the finish. A serious Barbaresco.

A 0.24 Hectare site bought by the Roagna family in 1929, the average age of the vines is over 50 years. It’s a much more brooding example of Barbaresco, with iron oxide and burnt earth, and also a smokiness. So complex, and will last a lifetime.

With an average of 50 year old vines, this is so complex and profound, with a real intensity to the tannins, and notes of minerals, as well as lots of wild flowers on the finish. Such a complex wine.

A tiny production wine from Luca, that’s got lots of Tortonian soil character. Lots of silky tannins, citrus fruit, and a lovely sense of purity. Rare but beautiful.

From one of the most famous sites in Neive, this shows the classic character of the commune. Very delicate and fragrant, this shows the classic tar and roses that we love in so much great Nebbiolo. Very pretty, and alpine tinged.

So mineral and deep, this balances a charming bitterness with lots of citrus fruit and also a core of very fresh fruit. This always reminds us of Negronis (in a very good way) and the 2017 is no different. Don’t be afraid to age this.

A tiny production wine from Luca, that’s got lots of Tortonian soil character. Lots of silky tannins, citrus fruit, and a lovely sense of purity. Rare but beautiful.

So mineral and deep, this balances a charming bitterness with lots of citrus fruit and also a core of very fresh fruit. This always reminds us of Negronis (in a very good way) and the 2017 is no different. Don’t be afraid to age this.

The largest parcel owned by the Roagna family, in front of the winery in Castiglione Faletto, the vines for this wine are between 25 and 50 years old. Castiglione Faletto is often considered the sweet spot for Barolo, and this has floral notes, wild citrus, and also a chalkiness to the tannins.

From the Roagna’s famed site in Barbaresco, from vines that are over 50 years old on average, this is complex, delicious, and incredibly rare. Peppermint and rose, and also a core of exuberant fruit. A delight.

From the Roagna’s famed site in Barbaresco, from vines that are over 50 years old on average, this is complex, delicious, and incredibly rare. Peppermint and rose, and also a core of exuberant fruit. A delight.

A 0.24 Hectare site bought by the Roagna family in 1929, the average age of the vines is over 50 years. It’s a much more brooding example of Barbaresco, with iron oxide and burnt earth, and also a smokiness. So complex, and will last a lifetime.