Description / Reviews
"A profound and deep perfume is the first impression of the 2021 Barolo Aleste, redolent of cherries, raspberries, wood and mineral notes, with underbrush and dark spices.
It has a sense of mystery, hiding then revealing, unfolding as it evolves in the glass. On the palate is it surprisingly robust and structured, but not heavy … it dances. Red fruits predominate, balanced by flavors of spice, wood notes and garrigue.
The tannins will require a good bit of patience but show the sweetness and elegance of the vintage - they simply need a few years to resolve into a coherent whole. The finish shows off the ripe tannins and notes of graphite and black fruit." - Sandrone, Winemaker
"The name of the wine may have changed, but Sandrone’s flagship Barolo is still, and will always be, 100% Cannubi Boschis, the Barolo vineyard synonymous with this grower. The Boschis subzone sits near the northern end of the Cannubi hill directly across from the Sandrone cellars. Sandrone farms 1.9 hectares of 40-year-old vines in the Cru, which has a particularly good south and southeast exposure in a small amphitheatre or conca that helps hold warmth in the early morning. Its soils are sea deposits of calcareous clay with sand and therefore have excellent drainage. Highlighting the uniqueness of the wines from this terroir compared to the rest of the Cannubi hill, Alessandro Masnaghetti’s L’Enciclopedia delle Grandi Vigne del Barolo writes: “The wines, in general, have good body, much elegance, and more polished tannins than other Cannubi wines.” The winemaking is identical to Le Vigne, aside from a little longer on skins. While both are extraordinary, the stylistic contrast is clear as day. Where Le Vigne is lifted and perfumed, and yet more classical and mineral, Aleste is more fleshy, layered and seductive when young." - Bibendum, Importer
"The 2021 Barolo Aleste is off-the-charts gorgeous. Vertical and explosive in the glass, with tremendous energy, the 2021 possesses unbelievable richness married to vibrant energy. Plum, black cherry, gravel, lavender and mocha soar out of the glass. Readers will find a Barolo of stature and breeding." - 98 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"A beguiling and expressive nose allures with notes of rose, tobacco, earthy medicinal roots and exotic spice. This has the fruit density of the vintage with layers of elegant, chalky tannins and well embedded oak. Cedar-infused red berries provide lip-smacking tang and the finish is positively salivating. From the original plot in Cannubi Boschis that Luciano Sandrone bought in 1977, along with more recent acquisitions in Cannubi proper. A rechristening in 2013 to Aleste represents a contraction of his two grandchildren names: Alessia and Stefano." - 96 Points, Michaela Morris, Decanter
