Barolo is one of the world’s great wines. In this video, I’ll discuss the background details of what makes this red wine so special, along with what to look for when shopping for it. Also included will be a wine tasting of two classic examples, a just recently released Barolo and another bottle that is nearly 30 years old. Barolo is an appellation in the Piedmont region of NW Italy.
All Barolo is red, made entirely from Nebbiolo. While Nebbiolo is the most renowned grape variety, it accounts for less than 10% of the total vineyard plantings of the region being reserved for the best-suited, top vineyard sites. It’s a difficult variety to grow well. Beyond Piedmont and some nearby neighboring regions, Nebbiolo has limited reach around the world, with nothing that approaches the distinctive character of Piedmont.
Recent Vintages: 2018, 2019 and 2020
2018 - mostly softer wines compared to the 2015, 2016 and 2017. The wines have very good aging potential, it will start showing their potential after about a decade, with the best having twenty-plus years of aging potential.
2019 - a vintage that shows a good balance between classic and contemporary Barolo. The growing season was a bit cooler the many recent vintages. The tannins are evident, wines built for the long haul. The longest-lived potential of the trio, decades is well within reach.
2020 - the full on Covid vintage, some producers struggled to find labor, but overall a very successful vintage. Wines with precision on the palate, ripe, full, tannins that are a bit less hard, yet with plenty of structure to age ten years plus.
Wines to search out with approximate price (USD).
Bruno Giacosa Barolo - any vintage, prices starting at around $160
2018 Carlo Revello & Figli Barolo DOCG $50 (Total Wine)
2018 Elio Altare Barolo $90 2018
Elvio Cogno Ravera Barolo DOCG $115
2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo $200
2019 La Sacrestia Barolo $40 (Total Wine)
2019 Massolino Barolo Serralunga d'Alba $53 (Total Wine)
2020 Mauro Veglio Barolo $45 (Total Wine)
2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo $45 2019 Prunotto Barolo $50
2019 Vite Colte Essenze Barolo $35 - from one of the top co-ops of the region, good value
Vietti Barolo, the entire range is consistently strong
Chapter Markers:
00:00 - 00:19 Introduction
00:20 - 00:51 Barolo Basics
00:52 - 1:14 Bob Intro
1:15 - 1:32 Nebbiolo Basics
1:33 - 2:01 Barolo compared to Barbarseco
2:02 - 2:37 Recent Vintages
2:38 - 3:12 Cru Barolo
3:13 - 4:47 Barolo Wars
4:48 - 8:04 Tasting 2020 Mauro Veglio Barolo
8:05 - 11:15 Tasting 1997 Luigi Einaudi Barolo
11:16 -13:22 Retaste of the 2020
13:23 - 16:43 Retaste of the 1997
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