- 100% Nebbiolo from the 1.96 hectare Vignolo vineyard, where there are approximately 10,700 Nebbiolo vines facing south and south-west, which were planted in 1948 and 1966
- Calcareous marl soil
- Indigenous yeast fermentation
- Submerged cap maceration for 20-35 days in stainless steel
- Aged in large Slavonian oak casks for about 4-5 years, plus one year in bottle
- 500 6-pack cases produced annually on average
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2018
Country:
Italy
Region:
Piedmont
Appellation:
Barolo
Variety:
Nebbiolo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Certified Organic - USDA/NOPÿ
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-CAV-40-18 | 6/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Wine Advocate
Score
97
Date
2025-01-30
"The organic Cavallotto 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo delivers the focus and straight-shooting concentration that we can expect of Castiglione Falletto. The wine ages for an extended 60 months in large Slavonian oak casks, and fruit comes from a southwest-facing slope with 40-year-old vines. The wine's core of fruit remains on the dark side, but you also get pretty lift and verticality with tart berry aromas, shaved mineral, cola and mint (like when you walk through the vineyard rows in summer). The wine is amply structured and fleshed out and delivers texture. The Riserva Vignolo is my favorite of Cavallotto's wines this year. Production is just under 7,000 bottles."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
96
Date
2024-08-01
"Aromas of rose, woodland berry, underbrush and spice form the fragrant, expressive nose on the fantastic 2018 Vignolo Riserva. The smooth, delicious palate mirrors the nose, delivering fleshy raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle and baking spice before a minty finish. Tightly woven, polished tannins offer enveloping support while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. While this already almost approachable, it will age beautifully for years. Drink 2026"2038. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O™Keefe August 2024"
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2025-01-07
"The 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a young, tightly wound wine. Dark-toned fruit, leather, spice and menthol infuse the 2018 with notable density. Vignolo is typically marked by relatively soft, supple contours, but the 2018 is very much on the virile side for this bottling. Even so, it is pretty impressive, especially for the year. I would give this a few years in bottle, as the tannins are rather imposing in the early going."
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2024-10-16
"Sleek and expressive, this red is all about finesse. Rose, cherry, strawberry, orange peel, iron and wild herb flavors are driven by the bracing acidity, while light tannins line the finish. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043. "B.S."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2025-01-21
"Mid-to-deep ruby. Seductive and deep nose with spicy notes mingling with saline hints and slowly emerging red fruit with a hint of crushed rosemary. Changes all the time and needs lots of air. Fresh, focused red fruit layered with clayey tannins. Still not fully open on the palate yet. Energetic, fresh and fluid, with tannic charge on the finish. Can be approached now but ideally should age for an additional two years in bottle. (WS)"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2019
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
100
Date
2025-04-01
"The best Cavallotto Vignolo Riserva I™ve had to date, the 2019 is staggeringly stunning, starting with its heady aromas of pine forest, cedar, ripe red berry and spice. All about finesse and showing elegant restraint, the full-bodied, delicious palate delivers succulent Morello cherry, truffle, orange zest and pomegranate accented by white pepper and star anise. Tight, taut but fine-grained tannins provide great support while bright acidity keeps it balanced and fueled with vibrancy. What an absolutely gorgeous wine. Drink 2029"2049. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O™Keefe April 2025"
2019
Wine Spectator
Score
97
Date
2025-09-03
"Cherry, plum, tamarind, licorice and tar flavors are the hallmarks of this tense, complex red. Stays on the balsamic side, showing eucalyptus and juniper accents as this builds in intensity to the long, tightly coiled finish. Needs time for the tannins to relax their grip on the fruit. Best from 2029 through 2050. From Italy. "B.S."
2019
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
96
Date
2026-04-14
"From south- and southwest-facing vineyards near Bricco Boschis, fermented in stainless steel and aged 60 months in large Slavonian oak casks, the 2019 Barolo Riserva Vignolo reveals notes of ripe cherries, fresh leather, mandarin, menthol, and tobacco. Medium-bodied, it carries a compact core of sapidity, bright acidity, and linear drive. Compared to the Vigna San Giuseppe, it shows greater tension and lift, finishing with warming spice and well-defined tannins. Built for the long haul, it should have no problem aging gracefully over the next two decades. 6,566 bottles were produced. Drink 2027-2047."
2019
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2025-06-19
"The Cavallotto 2019 Barolo Riserva Vignolo (a certified organic wine) shows an earthy and savory side with the extra texture and concentration that is characteristic of this warm vintage. With fruit selected from a 1.96-hectare site with 40-year-old vines, the wine reveals a core of black and purple fruits, with dried plum and blackcurrant. It closes with powdery tannins. This Riserva ages for a long 60 months in 20-hectoliter and 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak casks. Production is limited to 6,566 bottles."
2019
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2026-04-02
"Sitting at lower overall elevations than Cavallotto™s San Giuseppe vineyard in Bricco Boschis, Vignolo boasts a similar southwestern exposure. It is characterised by limestone-rich white clay with little sand. It is thrilling in its earthy scents of tar, damp soil, sandalwood and forest brush. Dark red cherry and raspberry lurk in the background. Still very taut and tense, the palate is all about texture. Dry, chalky tannins cling to a smooth, almost creamy, packed core of wild, pure brambles. Vigour is deftly channelled and this ends on a bright note."
2019
Vinous
Score
95+
Date
2025-05-12
"The 2019 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a deep, sensual wine. Dark red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, blood orange and pomegranate all race across the palate. The aromatics are especially alluring, even if the Vignolo remains a bit less forthcoming on the palate. Kirsch, rose petal and mulling spice explode on the back end. This is the sort of Barolo that is a total turn-on with a bit of age. Actually, it already is."
2019
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2025-12-30
"Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Savoury, saline minerally notes over complex, generous red fruit. Generous, suave palate but at the same time restrained and with bags of gravelly tannins that are perfectly in line with the fruit. Fantastic length, precision and generosity. (WS)"
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2023-08-24
"Vignolo is a small vineyard site just down the hill from Bricco Boschis. The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vignolo (made with organic fruit) shows extra richness and density and more mineral definition that give this wine precision and focus. There is pencil shaving, crushed stone and licorice around a core of wild berry fruit and soft cherry. This vintage shows a broader more generous personality overall. The vines are 40 years old on average, and this Barolo ages in large Slavonian oak casks for 60 months. Production is limited to 2,609 bottles this vintage."
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2024-04-30
"Beginning to mellow, this red reveals plum, cherry, autumn wood, tar, smoke and menthol flavors. Broad and burly, with the heat of the vintage showing in the rustic tannins. Offers fine length, leaning toward the tannins in the end. Best from 2025 through 2040. 580 cases made, 174 cases imported."
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2023-11-03
"The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is laced with hints of sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, leather, anise and dried flowers. Translucent and driving, with lovely balance, the 2017 shows a good bit of floral and earthy character, with dried fruit notes that are pushed into the background."