This one has been on our tasting wishlist for some time, and we're thrilled to finally tick it off this Saturday (25th) - Piedmont's Paolo Scavino, with a substantial suite of 2021 Barolo releases, as well as well-valued entry points into their generous style.
Before that one rolls around, we're pouring five labels from Latta Wines cometomorrow evening (Friday 24th), featuring fresh creations like the Jura-inspired 'Jurassique' Chardonnay and organic Grenache Blanc called the 'Tonal Diffusion', alongside fan-favourites Shay's Flat Grenache and Sangiovese pairing and the flavour-filled What-a-Melon Rosé! This will run between 4:30 and 6:30pm - perfect drops to sip and savour at the end of the work week, all on special!
Where Paolo Scavino is concerned, we've tasted almost every single major release for Barolo that's emerged from the brilliant 2021 vintage, and theirs stood tall even among such heavy competition. Here are Nebbiolos of classic power, drive and structural tannic profiles, while not foregoing a sense of clarity, detailed fruit and site-specific expression. Labels like the Langhe Nebbiolo and 'Bricco Ambrogio' Barolo (plus the effortless Barbera & Dolcetto) are bright, polished and ethereal, before you climb up into Barolos such as the 'Prapo', 'Monvigliero' and 'Bric del Fiasc' where one wanders into brooding dark fruit territory, accented by balanced minerality and enveloping layers of spice. Each of these will be on tasting come Saturday between 12 and 2pm, but Piedmont collectors should also take note of their four other names that have swung through our doors (not on tasting, but on special for the coming week) in the 'Ravera', 'Vigna Fantini', 'Rocche dell'Annunziata' and back-vintage 2011 'Novantesimo Riserva'!
The entire range offers relatively excellent pricing for the quality on offer, not only against other Piedmont options, but even the similar structure and ageability of Burgundy, as these comfortably push through the mid-tier of 1er Cru, up towards Grand Cru in the case of 'Bric del Fiasc' and the 'Rocche dell'Annunziata'. Each one totally compelling in its own right, and fascinating to watch unfurl over time. We hope you can join in and see the magic for yourself!
Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba 2023 -
$40 on special this week ($46 RRP)
"Purple colour, fresh and delicate aromatics of cherry, blueberry, spices and flowers. The structure has a lightness and brightness in it. Well defined by good tannins and harmonious acidity this wine has a pleasant freshness and intriguing character. Dolcetto d’Alba is the everyday wine usually combined with the typical Piedmontese antipasti." - Importer Notes
"Candied nose of red fruits, restrained, mineral, fresh precision of aromas. Clean and pure, with good intensity." - 92 Points, Susan Hulme MW, Vincenzo Arnese & Sara Bachiorri, Decanter
Paolo Scavino Barbera d'Alba 2023 -
$48 on special this week ($54 RRP)
"The Barbera d’Alba D.O.C. is consistent expression of this local eclectic grape. Vinification and aging occure in stainless steel to purely deliver its character. Barbera varietal requires sunny exposure and well-drained soil as well as low yields to develop richness and complexity. Therefore it’s planted just in the most suitable exposure where we can reach the best maturity. Floral, elegant and expressive aromatics, high toned texture, harmonious and lively acidity." - Importer Notes
"The 2023 Barbera d'Alba is a delight. Bold, juicy and bursting with fruit, Scavino's Barbera is a delicious everyday red to drink now and over the next few years. A burst of super-ripe dark cherry/plum fruit, sweet spice, leather and licorice punctuates the exuberant finish." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 -
$57 on special this week ($64 RRP)
"Fragrant and primary, the nose of this must-buy value pick offers raspberry, mint and rose. Silky in texture and light on its feet with a succulent blood orange, Campari-esque character, its very fine tannins dissolve swiftly. To achieve an immediately approachable version of Nebbiolo, the Scavino family draws on east-facing parcels on sandy soil in the village of La Morra. Maceration lasts just five days and ageing in neutral barrels has been reduced to eight months." - Michaela Morris, Decanter
"The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is another fine entry-level offering from Scavino. Crushed flowers, sweet macerated red cherry, cedar and pipe tobacco give the 2023 striking aromatic presence to match its mid-weight personality. Floral overtones reappear to round out the finish. This is beautifully done." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino Barolo 2021 -
$115 on special this week ($129 RRP)
"The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo is bright and vivid, showing the focus and character of the vintage. This sample is still quite tight, and the tannins are firmly knit. However, the tannins are more elegant and silkier in the 2021 compared to 2020. I recommend giving this wine more time in bottle to allow it to fully flesh out." - 94 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Paolo Scavino 'Bricco Ambrogio' 2021 -
$170 on special this week ($195 RRP)
"The 2021 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is classy and polished to the core. This wine has come such a long way since its debut. Enrico Scavino really believed in this site when he purchased it a little more than 20 years ago. The 2021 is a fine testament to his vision. Lavender, sage, menthol and licorice lead into a core of dark-toned fruit in a Barolo that is deep yet also light on its feet. This is impeccably done, not to mention very tasty." - 95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is usually the lightest wine in the family's collection of single-vineyard wines. From the village of Roddi in the northernmost point of the appellation, this area has wide vineyard valleys and cool southeast exposures. The heat of the day falls away quickly thanks to steep diurnal shifts. The soils are composed of blue marl and sand, and the family farms seven hectares here, of which five hectares are Nebbiolo (the rest is Dolcetto and old-vine Barbera). A selection of the best fruit is made from old vines and put into this bottle. The wine is soft and silky with red and blue fruits and floral aromas to close." - 94 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Paolo Scavino 'Prapo' Barolo 2021 -
$209 on special this week ($240 RRP)
"The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Monvigliero needs extra time in bottle. It reveals aromas of dried flower, rose, powdered licorice and cola. This expression is not as immediately floral as Monvigliero can sometimes be. In fact, this wine offers more heft and structure than I anticipated. It has a pretty quality of tannins, firm and chalky. The vineyard is measured at under one hectare in Verduno with southeast exposures on Sant’Agata Fossili Marl soils." - 95 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Barolo Monvigliero is a pretty dense wine. I don't see quite the delineation or nuance of the finest wines in this range or the best wines from this site, which leads me to believe Scavino is still getting a feel for Monvigliero. For many top producers, this would be a superb wine, but in this lineup, it's in the middle of the pack. Macerated cherry, spice, tobacco and cedar struggle to emerge fully. I hope to revisit the 2021 in a few years' time." - 94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino 'Monvigliero' Barolo 2021 -
$219 on special this week ($250 RRP)
"The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Monvigliero needs extra time in bottle. It reveals aromas of dried flower, rose, powdered licorice and cola. This expression is not as immediately floral as Monvigliero can sometimes be. In fact, this wine offers more heft and structure than I anticipated. It has a pretty quality of tannins, firm and chalky. The vineyard is measured at under one hectare in Verduno with southeast exposures on Sant’Agata Fossili Marl soils." - 95 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Barolo Monvigliero is a pretty dense wine. I don't see quite the delineation or nuance of the finest wines in this range or the best wines from this site, which leads me to believe Scavino is still getting a feel for Monvigliero. For many top producers, this would be a superb wine, but in this lineup, it's in the middle of the pack. Macerated cherry, spice, tobacco and cedar struggle to emerge fully. I hope to revisit the 2021 in a few years' time." -94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino 'Bric del Fiasc' Barolo 2021 -
$259 on special this week ($295 RRP)
"With holdings in Fiasco since 1910, the Scavino family considers this wine their flagbearer. First produced separately in 1978, it is crafted from three southwest-facing plots on a mix of sandstone and limestone. A profound, mineral-laden nose brings in supporting accents of pepper and raspberry. Elegant in weight yet commanding in delivery, enveloping tannins suggest some richness with an innate sense of balance prevailing. Coming together admirably, this is captivating and energetic through to the crushed stone and iron finish." - 97 Points, Michaela Morris, Decanter
"The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc, from a 2.5-hectare site in Castiglione Falletto on a southwest-facing slope, shows an especially rich and textured side with aromas of dark fruit that are accented by clove, cinnamon, spice and even a hint of bitter chocolate. This is a bold expression of Nebbiolo with elegantly managed tannins that are quite firm and need ample time to resolve." - 96 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Also available & on offer -
(Not on tasting)
Paolo Scavino 'Ravera' Barolo 2021 -
$209 on special this week ($240 RRP)
"You feel the dark fruit intensity of Novello in the Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Ravera. This is a very fine and well-constructed wine with layers of ripe cherry, iris root, crushed stone and licorice. The tannins are powdery, but the wine's structure remains firm and intact. Ravera promises a long life but remains attractive and accessible in the medium term, should you choose to uncork this bottle sooner." - 95 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Barolo Ravera is captures all the signatures of this site. Iron, white pepper, sage, mint, chalk and red-toned fruit all grace this sculpted, vibrant young Barolo. I especialy admire its energy and tension. Clean mineral notes support the bracing finish. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2021 for at least a few years." - 95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bussia -Vigna Fantini 2021 -
$209 on special this week ($240 RRP)
"The Scavino family bought this site in Monforte d'Alba in 2019, and this is the newest wine added to the portfolio. The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Bussia Vigna Fantini has a lot of fruit freshness with raspberry and wild blueberry. From a cool site at 370 meters above sea level with southwest exposures, the soils are rocky with loose sand. The family describes this as their "botanical garden" becauase it is a vineyard that sees a lot of experimentation with clones and rootstocks. They say that the learning curve with Bussia was great and they needed a few years to understand how to best draw out its character (fruit from leased vineyards in Bussia previously was blended into the classic Barolo). This wine delivers a floral bouquet with violets and lilac. The tannic structure of this wine is different in that it results in full-bodied, rich and velvety sensations." - 96 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Bussia Vigna Fantini is a deep, powerful wine. Dark cherry, spice, menthol and strong balsamic inflections all meld together. This especially virile, strapping Barolo packs a serious punch. Time in the glass brings out Bussia breadth as spiced, floral aromatics literally explode on the finish. This is a tremendous debut. I can see the Bussia Vigna Fantini joining the ranks of the very finest Barolos in this range." - 96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino Barolo 'Rocche dell'Annunziata' Riserva 2019 -
$539 on special this week ($625 RRP)
"The Paolo Scavino 2019 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata comes from a special line that is only made in the best years. We saw a Riserva in 2016, and I'm told it will be made in 2021 (but we won't see that bottle until 2028 or 2029). This wine, however, shows beautifully today with elegant fruit, dark shadings of spice and young and chalky tannins. The wine is classic from all points of view, and you get a generous portion of that celebrated Nebbiolo elegance." - 97 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2019 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata is a wine of pure and total sensuality, as the best vintages are here. Ripe, silky tannins frame a core of red-toned Rocche fruit. Floral and citrus inflections emerge later to round things out. The Riserva is one of the most elegant, sublime and beautiful wines in this year's range. I loved it." - 96+ Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva 'Novantesimo' 2011 -
$609 on special this week ($695 RRP)
"The 2011 Barolo Riserva Novantesimo is a proud and exuberant wine that does enormous justice to the vintage and to the mighty Nebbiolo grape. This is remembered as a warm growing season, and this wine is richly layered, generous and beautifully intense as a result. Dark cherry aromas are folded within spice, cured tobacco and leather. The best part is that subtle crunch or snap you get on the palate, thanks to the fresh acidity that is neatly integrated within." - 97 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"In 2011, Scavino bottled a small amount of the 2011 Barolo Riserva Novantesimo, a blend of fruit fruit from a handful of top-notch sites to celebrate the winery's 90th anniversary. A hauntingly beautiful wine, the 2011 graces the palate with notable nuance and detail. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet red berries are all laced together in an exquisite Barolo endowed with real class and pedigree. The Novantesimo is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. That is little wonder. Look at the vineyard sites: Fiasco (Castiglione Falletto), Monvigliero (Verduno), Cannubi and Vignane (Barolo), San Bernardo (Serralunga), Bricco Ambrogio (Roddi) and Rocche dell’Annunziata (La Morra). This is a fabulous effort." - 96+ Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
What-a-Melon Rosé 2025 -
$30 on special this week ($35 RRP)
// Organic Syrah and Grenache, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
"I love producing what a melon each year, I’m always so heavily fixated on terroir so its great to have an outlet to use my full colour palette to produce a fun yet very serious textured rosé. As always this is produced from some pretty epic vineyard sites with passionate long term growers of ours throughout Western Victoria." - Winemaker Notes
Shay's Flat Sangiovese 2023 -
$33 on special this week ($37 RRP)
"Deep red with tinges of purple; the wine is rich and concentrated with toasty/earthy/licorice and tar characters, hints of freshly shelled almonds among an array of spices. It's full-bodied and firm, solid and grippy—in a nice way. Lively acidity but the wine has richness and density that balances well. A solid red that could reward some cellaring." - 92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2022 Vintage)
Shay's Flat Grenache 2025 -
$33 on special this week ($37 RRP)
In that zone between light, very light, red, and dark, very dark, rosé. Rose hip tea leads cranberry and sour cherries with touches of almond and aniseed coming through. It’s got a pleasing sheath of lacy, silty tannin lending shape, a long, open weave of flavour and a general freshness overall. It prosecutes its case very well, delivering a wine of gulpability and charm. Step right up." - 92 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Tonal Diffusion Grenache Blanc 2025 -
$33 on special this week ($37 RRP)
"Here we have Grenache, grown by Cory Hope up in the Pyrenees from the Shays Flat site. Cory managed 50 hectares of vines over three sites in the valley which are all farmed certified organic. I could easily rabbit on about the influence from a certain southern rhone rosé appellation inspiration but that wouldn’t be all that interesting as this is from the Victorian Pyrenees & produced in Coghills Creek with various cellar techniques & picking dates. Three harvests & quite a few techniques in the cellar. Various whole bunch ferments, Infusion, concrete fermenter etc, basket pressed off directly to barrel. 8 months élevage in large sized casks, estate bottled." - Winemaker Notes
Jurassique Blanc Ouille Chardonnay 2024 -
$49 on special this week ($55 RRP)
"So it’s a topped up chardonnay from Tarrington in Victoria, but the gist is there is influence from Jura-made wines that see more relaxed topping up to encourage positive oxidative influences in the wine. Also rests on unstirred lees for its time in barrel. And it is indeed Jura-like, per se. Not as intense as many from there, but clear and clean chardonnay fruit characters of just-ripe stone fruit, lime, green apple, then this wash of sea spray and briny minerality that feels oh so moreish and refreshing. Tightly wound yet medium weight too, almost crunchy, salted peanut elements and a touch of fino sherry character. A sluice of juicy acidity to finish with a trail, again, of brine and saline character. Far out. I love this. Pitch perfect complex chardonnay of a distinct style." - 96 Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Thursday the 30th of July