Barolo 'Castelletto - La Villa'

Score

94

"A big, juicy red with plum, berry, cherry and hints of cedar character. It’s full-bodied, but remains agile and structured. Flavorful finish with chewy tannins. Give this three to four years to come around. Try after 2023."

Score

93

"The 2016 Barolo la Villa is a more complete and elaborate wine compared to the classic Barolo also released now from Fratelli Seghesio. There is more depth here and less of that ripeness that I encountered in the other Barolo. This wine has more layers with dark fruit, licorice, iron ore and crushed limestone. These various aromatic elements come together with pretty harmony and focus. The finish is smooth and firmly structured, revealing an elegant and genuine personality. Fruit comes from the oldest vines in the Castelletto cru of Monforte d'Alba. Some 7,000 bottles were made."

Score

94

"The 2016 Barolo La Villa is a beguiling wine that needs a bit of time in bottle to fully open up. Then again, it is a young Barolo, so that is very much to be expected. Dried herbs, mint, licorice, dark cherry, underbrush and a whole range of spiced/balsamic notes fill out the layers. Next to the straight Barolo, La Villa has more body, depth and texture. It is another fine effort from Seghesio."

Score

91

"The 2015 Barolo La Villa offers a bit more weight and density than the straight Barolo, but it, too, looks like it will offer its best drinking sooner rather than later. Pine, menthol and a whole range of balsamic inflections play off a core of dark red cherry and plum fruit in an inviting, mid-weight Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. The 2015 has a good bit of underlying grip, but I am not sure the fruit will hold up for more than 10-15 years."

Score

92

"Tar and leather aromas and flavors here. Chewy tannins and a savory finish. A little tough now but nothing that a few years of bottle age won't sort out. Try in 2020."

Score

92

"The 2014 Barolo La Villa is laced with dark cherry, plum, woodsmoke, cedar, tobacco and licorice. Pliant and deep, the 2014 is impeccably layered from start to finish. The La Villa is a bit richer and darker than the straight Barolo, but both wines share a profile that leans more towards the floral/savory end of the spectrum, with the fruit pushed into the background."