- Nebbiolo from 5 hectares of vines in Bussia
- 35-year-old vines on average
- 300 meters above sea level on average
- Calcareous clay soils rich in iron
- 40-day natural fermentation and skin maceration
- Aged 6 months in tank and 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks (35-50 hl) prior to bottling
- 2000 cases produced annually
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2021
Country:
Italy
Region:
Piedmont
Appellation:
Barolo
Variety:
Nebbiolo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-FEN-23-21 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
98
Date
2025-05-01
"The Giacomo Fenocchio 2021 Bussia mesmerizes with its aromas of violet, botanical herb, forest berry, menthol and cake spice. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the utterly delicious palate boasts a great depth of flavors including juicy red cherry, raspberry preserve, cinnamon stick, crushed mint and star anise before a graphite finish, all set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Showing serious aging potential, it has bright acidity that also keeps it well balanced. Drink 2033–2051. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O'Keefe May 2025"
Decanter
Score
94
Date
2025-03-28
"Located in the heart of Bussia, the Giacomo Fenocchio estate counts 5ha in the Sottana subzone. As with all the MGA bottlings, fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, maceration is upwards of 40 days, and ageing is in large Slavonian oak casks. The 2021 has a flamboyant side, leading with roasted coffee, iron, grilled bay leaf and crushed allspice aromas. As animated as the nose is, the palate needs a bit more time to come together, however it is well packed with dense dark cherry and perfumed fennel. The tannins are chalky yet sweet, with a taut snap. I love the saline twist on the finish."
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2025-01-31
"Blackberries with sweet spices, as well as plums and a touch of cedar. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with polished yet firm tannins that stick to the palate. Lovely, juicy fruit profile. This should evolve nicely, but needs some time. Better from 2026."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2025-05-06
"Moving to the 2021 Barolo Bussia, it pours a bright transparent red color and offers a pure aromatic profile with notes of cherry candies, preserved orange, amaro-like sweet herbs, and dried earth. The palate is also vibrant and transparent, with a bit more savory iron-richness lurking gently underneath on the finish, framing the otherwise more transparent ripe berried fruit that coaxes through the palate. It has ripe tannins and a bit more richness of texture on the finish that I anticipate will improve over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2026-2038."
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2025-01-07
"The 2021 Barolo Bussia is an absolute delight. Aromatic, graceful and light on its feet, the 2021 is pure seduction. Pine, mint, cloves, new leather, licorice, wild cherry and sage are some of the many notes that are laced together in this exquisite, haunting Barolo from Claudio Fenocchio."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2020
Wine Enthusiast
Score
98
Date
2024-04-29
"Claudio Fenocchio,s mastery is evident in how he elicits the quintessence of Bussia in this wine. It unfolds with measured elegance, unhurried in its expression. The bouquet is rich with warm Marasca cherries, blood orange zest, fading rose, wild sage, and forest floor. Effortlessly, it glides across the palate, the 2020,s tannins are soft, rounded, and plush, embracing the mixed berry preserves sprinkled with baking spices while the lively acidity elevates the experience, ensuring a fresh palate. This stands out as one of the premier wines of this vintage. Drink Now through 2045. Editors, Choice. ‡J.P."
2020
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2024-05-16
"This is structured and meaty with a medium to full body and firm but very fine tannins. Ripe red and dark berries with hints of walnuts and tar. It's well made and focused with a lingering finish. Try from 2028."
2020
Vinous
Score
95
Date
2024-01-04
"The 2020 Barolo Bussia is the most expressive of these Barolos from Claudio Fenocchio. Ample and layered in feel, the 2020 offers up a compelling mix of dark fruit, mocha, spice, leather, dried herbs and incense. There's real penetrating power to the aromatics and flavors here. Time in the glass brings out the wine's natural pedigree. The 2020 is beautifully done."
2020
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
94
Date
2024-03-01
"Leather, blue flower, camphor and tobacco aromas lead the nose on the 2020 Bussia from Giacomo Fenocchio. The tight, savory palate offers ripe raspberry, strawberry, flinty mineral and ground clove alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2028–2035. Abv: 14.5%"
2020
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2024-05-15
"Ripe brick red in color, the 2020 Barolo Bussia is fruity and layered on opening with notes of mixed berries, baking spices, sage, and candied violets. Rounded and seamless, the palate offers a velvety texture, with ripe tannins and a long finish. Its ripeness of fruit shows on the finish, and it's going to be best enjoyed over the next 8-10 years."
2020
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2025-04-30
"A pretty red, exhibiting cherry, strawberry, cut hay, iron and menthol aromas and flavors. A dense matrix of tannins provides support as this shuts down somewhat on the lengthy finish. Best from 2028 through 2043. 2,000 cases made, 670 cases imported."
2019
Decanter
Score
96
Date
2023-03-23
2019
Decanter World Wine Awards
Score
95
Date
2023-06-07
2019
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2023-07-28
2019
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2023-05-04
2019
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2024-04-04
"The Giacomo Fenocchio 2019 Barolo Bussia has ripe cherry and dried raspberry on a first wave. With fruit from Monforte d'Alba, this wine shows nicely balanced results. I like the grip of the tannins and the focused, angular style of the wine that prizes crushed stone and rusty iron. This wine stands apart in this portfolio. Production is 25,000 bottles."
2019
Vinous
Score
90+
Date
2023-11-03
"The 2019 Barolo Bussia is another inward, bruising wine from Claudio Fenocchio. Dark, balsamic and imposing, the Bussia has a good bit of complexity, but is not showing much today. I am not sure if the huge tannins will ever soften here."
2019
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2023-01-13
"Mid to deep ruby. A deep, spicy, mysterious and brooding nose. Reveals itself only slowly, slowly in the glass. Layered and complex. Still compact and backwards on the palate but finely balanced. Supple and still very tightly wound. Plenty of substance. The fruit is anchored by firm but polished tannins that go on and on. (WS) "
2018
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2022-02-08
2018
WinesCritic.com
Score
92
Date
2022-02-09
2018
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2022-02-01
2017
Wine Enthusiast
Score
96
Date
2021-06-20
"Editors' Choice"
2017
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2021-06-03
2017
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2021-04-29
2017
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2021-05-30
2017
Tom Hyland
Score
90
Date
2021-04-20
2017
Wine Advocate
Score
90
Date
2021-06-17