Barolo Riserva 'Vignolo'

Score

95

"The 2013 Barolo Riserva Vignolo surprises for the sheer darkness and saturation of its color. Upfront and without too much bother, the wine offers immediate richness and concentration with dark berry fruit, plum and dried cherry. There is a lot of intensity here, but the wine is more horizontal and broad in character than it is vertical per se. In other words, it shows a heavy center of gravity, and its very character is focused on richness and power. This wine ages in 20- and 100-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti for up to five years before its commercial release. Production is exactly 6,666 bottles."

Score

97

"Underbrush, tilled soil, blue flower, pipe tobacco and wild berry aromas mingle together with leather and menthol. Firmly structured and enveloping, the delicious palate doles out raspberry compote, dried cherry, baking spice and star anise, while tightly woven but fine-grained tannins provide support. It's nicely balanced, with bright acidity. It's already tempting, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2023–2043."

Score

94

"A big, dense wine the 2013 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is going to need quite a bit of time to be at its best. Today, it is decidedly dark and brooding. Black cherry, smoke, licorice, iron, leather and spice add to that impression. Time in the glass brings out a super-classic profile of rose petal and tar, but the 2013 remains quite imposing. I can't remember a Vignolo with this much sheer brawn. Readers will have to be patient , but there is certainly plenty to look forward to. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks."

Score

94

"This wine will be released next September. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vignolo shows a darkened and enriched side of the graceful Nebbiolo grape. This effort delivers a bit more weight and power with firm structure and balanced but also slightly dry tannins. The wine's acidity plays an important role in giving this expression such a sharp and focused personality. This wine ages in large oak casks for five years, thus prompting deep complexity and aromatic layering. The Vignolo vines are a bit lower in altitude (from 250 to 310 meters above sea level) compared to San Giuseppe (at 310 to 340 meters above sea level). That lower positioning favors the immediate richness and succulence you taste here."

Score

95

"Pressed rose, sunbaked earth, aromatic herb, new leather, balsamic notes and a whiff of game are just some of the aromas you'll find on this multifaceted red. The full-bodied palate boasts structure and personality, delivering dried Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and tobacco set against a backbone of firm noble tannins. Drink 2022–2032. "