- Nebbiolo from 1 hectare of 65-year-old vines in the cru of Villero in Castiglione Falletto
- 300 meters above sea level
- Iron-rich calcareous clay soils
- Spontaneous fermentation and skin maceration over 40 days
- Aged 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks (35-50hL) prior to bottling
- 500 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-22-21 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2025-09-04
"#70 Top 100 Wines of 2025: Dark aromas of graphite, potpourri, smoke, bergamot and dried cherries. Firm tannins on the palate, with a full body, a dusty texture, refreshing acidity and a powerful finish. Extracted, meaty, concentrated and balanced for the long haul, with an amazing minty aftertaste. Try from 2027."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
97
Date
2025-05-01
"All about finesse and vibrancy, the 2021 Villero from Giacomo Fenocchio is a stunner, starting with its enticing scents of perfumed berry, blue flower, rose, cake spice and eucalyptus. Vibrant and delicious, the full-bodied palate delivers layers of ripe red cherry, wild strawberry, spiced orange zest, cinnamon and star anise. Taut, refined tannins provide structure while bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. This is the best Villero I™ve had yet from the estate. Drink 2031"2046. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O™Keefe May 2025"
Decanter
Score
96
Date
2025-03-24
"My top pick from this estate in 2021, the Villero bottling is crafted from 65-year-old vines. The southwest-facing plot is characterised by calcareous clay rich in iron, which typically gives solidly structured wines. The house™s confidently extracted style accentuates this but is so well honed that the wine remains in brilliant balance. It is as expressive as it is textured: entrancing aromas convey smoke, cinnamon, sarsaparilla and a burst of violet. While tight and vertical to begin with, a mouthful of stoniness makes way for a richness of dark fruit through the mid-palate, all hemmed in by sophisticated, grainy tannins while sappy acidity lends a cleansing quality."
Vinous
Score
96
Date
2025-01-07
"The 2021 Barolo Villero is laced with spice, new leather, herbs, menthol and licorice. It exudes depth, structure and classicism, with plenty of the balsamic inflections that are such signatures of Villero. I admire the wine's virile intensity and overall power. This is a superb showing."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
95
Date
2025-05-06
"A similar bright red with orange highlights, the 2021 Barolo Villero has a fabulous floral and layered nose of fresh blood orange, bright red berries, cinnamon, clove, mint, and cedar incense. The palate is linear and medium-bodied, with refined tannins, refreshing ripe acidity, and a gently tapering finish. It had a more delicate feel on the palate at this tasting, yet I anticipate this being a lovely wine to check in on over the coming 10-15 years."
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2026-01-14
"A lean, sinewy red, this nevertheless offers plenty of cherry, currant, tar and eucalyptus flavors within its slim profile. Chalky tannins lend support and leave a tactile sensation on the finish. Feels a bit closed now, so be patient. Best from 2030 through 2047."B.S."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17.5
Date
2025-08-06
"Castiglione Falletto. Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Impressive concentration of cherry fruit on the nose underpinned by exotic-spice notes and white pepper. Full suave fruit and real concentration on the palate, while still in an embryonic state. Very long and focused with supple acidity and wonderful firm yet polished tannins. Wait. (WS)"
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Wine Enthusiast
Score
98
Date
2024-05-28
"The precision and beauty that Claudio Fenocchio is able to coax out of his wines is astonishing and this 2019 Villero is an opus. Dark cherry aromas lift from the glass, with layers of sweet and savory spice, black tea and rose bud. The wine is so generous and giving with a combination of wild red fruits and dark berries that meld perfectly with notes of cinchona bark, camphor, thyme and a distinct chalkiness. A sublime wine. Drink now"2050. Cellar Selection."Jeff Porter"
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2021-06-03
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2021-06-03
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
95
Date
2023-05-04
"Taking things up a notch, the 2019 Barolo Villero offers compelling aromas of wet stone, pencil shavings, kirsch, and Asian spices. Exceptional for its purity and balance, this medium-bodied red is fine-grained, and remains classic without displaying any harsh edges. All its components are working in concert and showing no signs of slowing down. Notes of cranberry cocktail, fresh blood orange, and dusty earth are long on the palate, with wonderful clarity and no one component dominating. This gorgeous wine will take time to show its best but will drink well over the next two decades."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2023-04-18
"Forest floor, leather, camphor, violet and dark culinary spice aromas come to the forefront on Giacomo Fenocchio,s 2019 Villero. Still youthfully austere, the firmly structured palate shows dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and hazelnut framed in tightly wound and tightly woven, close-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted and balanced. Give this time to fully develop. Drink 2029†2044. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O,Keefe March 2023 'kerinokeefe"
Wine Enthusiast
Score
94
Date
2021-06-20
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2023-07-28
"Notes of fresh red and dark berries with crushed violets, plum skins and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied with wide and velvety tannins and a vivid core of fruit in the middle. It,s bright and mouthwatering with a mineral, lightly chewy finish. Very balanced and focused. Try from 2027."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2021-04-29
Wine Advocate
Score
93
Date
2024-04-04
"The 2019 Barolo Villero has a bright and polished bouquet with small red fruits, tart cherries and blue flowers. Villero is a site in Castiglione Falletto, and it always shows a very linear and focused character. This wine concludes with fine tannins and pretty freshness. Rusty mineral notes also appear. This is a limited production of just 5,800 bottles."
Vinous
Score
92+
Date
2023-11-03
"The 2019 Barolo Villero is the most inward of the wines in this range. It offers good depth, but today the acids and tannins are simply overwhelming. Time in the glass releases hints of tobacco, cedar, dried herbs and earthiness. It will be interesting to see if the Villero softens in bottle. Today, it is a bruiser, but a promising bruiser."
Jancis Robinson
Score
17+
Date
2023-01-13
"Mid ruby. Ripe cherry nose but fresh and with a hint of mace. Lively cherry-fruit palate with juicy acidity. Coating tannins reveal themselves especially on the finish. Supple, long, youthful and lively yet with plenty of substance. (WS)"