Piedmont Week continues! Today we look at the complete beauty and power of the region's flagship DOCG, Barolo, and its signature grape Nebbiolo! This extensive offer includes some of the most appraised estates in Italy, with Elio Altare, Elio Grasso, Bruno Giacosa, G.D Vajra, Trediberri, and more that we're very excited to show off! We are primarily focused on the 2019 vintage in particular; a completely stunning return-to-form after the uneven '18s. Take a look and see what stands out!
Antonio Galloni of Vinous on the 2019 vintage in Piedmont -
"After the highly problematic and uneven 2018s, Barolo bounces back with a stellar vintage in 2019 that could very well represent the beginning of a new cycle of strong, outstanding years for this historic appellation. The 2019s are potent, tightly wound wines that will thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo. Today, the 2019s show elements of youthful austerity that, at times, recall vintages such as 2016, 2005 and 1999."
Elio Altare
2019 Barolo - $170 on offer ; $195 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo is bright and effusive in the glass, with lovely aromatic presence and fine balance. Aromatic and broad, with gorgeous balance, the 2019 will be easy to drink and enjoy young. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, cinnamon, pomegranate, cedar and sweet floral top notes. This is such a classy Barolo from Altare." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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2019 Barolo 'Arborina' - $265 on offer ; $295 RRP
“The 2019 Barolo Arborina is laced with dark cherry, graphite, dried flowers and licorice. It is an especially dark, almost sombre Arborina, with huge, incisive tannins that are quite dominance at this stage. It will be interesting to see how the 2019 ages. Based on several decades of tasting these wines, I think is will age quite well, but remain a brooding powerhouse.” - 94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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2017 Barolo Riserva - 'Cerretta' - $279 on offer ; $320 RRP
“The 2017 Barolo Riserva Cerretta Vigna Bricco is pliant and creamy, with all the depth of Serralunga backing it up. Black cherry, plum and spice all build in a sumptuous, full bodied Barolo that captures the best the vintage had to offer. Dark fruit, smoke, game, licorice and incense add layers of dimension as the 2017 starts to open in the glass." - 94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
G.D. Vajra
2019 Barolo 'Albe' - $95 on offer ; $109 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo Albe is a nuanced, understated wine, but it is also a rare Albe that needs time in bottle. Sweet floral and spice notes open first, leading to an attractive core of Nebbiolo fruit. Gentle and understated, with lovely precision, the 2019 Albe is a hushed wine that is more about energy than size. I have seen the Albe really blossom with a few years in bottle. I expect that will be the case here as well given its super-classic feel.” - 91 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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2019 Barolo 'Coste di Rose' - $140 on offer ; $160 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo Coste di Rose is the most open of the vineyard designates, but is not the easy going Barolo it has often been in the past. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannin gives the 2019 its taut, rather nervous feel. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice flowers and earthy tones all develop with a bit of time in the glass. There is a bit of nervousness in the tannin that needs to soften, but all the elements are nicely balanced." - 93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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2019 Barolo Ravera - $175 on offer ; $199 RRP
“The 2019 Barolo Ravera is redolent of red fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and orange peel. A Barolo of tension and energy, the 2019 is intensely bright and saline to the core. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. This is an especially taut style, even for Vajra" - 96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Elio Grasso
2019 Barolo 'Gavarini Chiniera' - $249 on offer ; $285 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is classically austere and just gorgeous right out of the gate. Soaring aromatics and fine, sculpted fruit race out of the glass. Crushed rose petals, cinnamon, orange peel, and mint are all beautifully delineated. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2019 is going to need years to be at its best, yet it has that embryonic inner sweetness that characterizes the very finest wines here. Superb." - 96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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2019 Barolo 'Ginestra Case Mate' - $249 on offer ; $285 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is rich, dark and explosive. Dark-fleshed fruit, cloves menthol, licorice, scorched earth, leather and dried flowers are some of the notes that infuse the 2019 with character. Deep and resonant, with tremendous depth, the Ginestra is a wine of unbridled intensity. Swaths of tannin wrap around the huge, substantial finish. This virile, strapping Barolo is quite simply classic Ginestra." - 95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Renato Ratti
2019 Barolo Marcenasco - $145 on offer ; $165 RRP
"Noble and generous, a glory of Old Piedmont, it is a wine suited to very long aging. Barolo is the absolute master of the dining room. It conquers the palate with strength, harmony and fullness and maintains its power at length. A great wine for important dishes, red meats roasted on a spit or grilled, game, dishes of gourmet white and red meats and ripe cheeses. Garnet red. Fragrance with notes of licorice and tobacco. Full and elegant flavor." - Winemaker Notes
Trediberri
2019 Barolo - $87 on offer ; $99 RRP
"Our Barolo “classic” has been a blend of different vineyards until 2017 and it has always tried to represent the typical character of La Morra, in particular its drinkability and its finesse. This wine has never been extremely alcoholic or full-bodied, rather more characterized by a “weightless” power and freshness. Henceforth it doesn’t need a long time in the bottle to be joyfully consumed. Its perfect pairings are goat cheeses, gnocchi with cheese, fondue, braised meat." - Winemaker Notes
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2019 Barolo 'Rocche dell'Annunziata - $136 on offer ; $155 RRP
"The 2019 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata is the best wine I have tasted yet from Nicola and Stefania Oberto. The biggest change here in recent years is the elimination of small oak in favor of casks, a move that really allows the full character of Rocche dell’Annunziata to come through. Dark cherry, kirsch, hard candy, rose petal and mint are all amplified in this gorgeous, translucent Barolo. A range of perfumed, floral accents lifts the intensely aromatic finish." - 95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Arpepe
*From Valtellina, north-east of Piedmont
2020 Rosso di Valtellina - $52 on offer ; $59 RRP
"The Rosso di Valtellina has a free and light-hearted personality. As always a wine that over delivers in every way. From vines more than fifty years old planted over granite, fruit is sourced from the lower parts of their parcels across the various crus at around 350-400 metres above sea level. The grapes undergo a long, gentle maceration with the skins in tini, before being pressed off to big old chestnut casks. This is a perfect introduction to the kind of lithe, perfumed Nebbiolo..." - Winemaker Notes
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2016 Superiore 'Inferno-Sesto Canto' Riserva - $153 on offer ; $175 RRP
"Cherry, strawberry, orange peel, mint and herbs. It’s dry and stony, plenty of citrus zest and a sort of autumnal decay, almond too, with slightly scratchy tannin, and a dry and zesty finish of good length. It’s a little sappy but full of character. Better with a few more years." - 93+ Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
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2016 Superiore 'Sassella - Rocce Rosse' Riserva - $153 on offer ; $175 RRP
"Magnificent perfume here. From nose to tail, this wine has it all. So finely wrought, with impeccable balance, dried flowers, raspberry and cherry, all the spice, extreme ‘mineral’ character to acidity and tightly wound tannin, such tension and freshness, with a superb long finish. Quiet succulence. Extraordinary." - 97 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Rocche Costamagna
2020 Langhe Nebbiolo - $35 on offer ; $40 RRP
"Ruby red color. Deep raspberry and rose scents, well combined with spicy sensations. The tannic sensation is balanced and features a good potential, contributing to a captivating harmony. Due to its pleasant character, it is easy to pair to many foods. It pairs with white meat, chicken, medium-aged cheese. Its tannic finesse makes it also good with fish stew or soup and with spicy dishes" - Winemaker Notes
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2016 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva - $130 on offer ; $150 RRP
"Rocche dell'Annunziata is considered one of the best MGAs, not only within La Morra but in the whole of Barolo. This Riserva is aged for 36 months in large 30hL Slavonian oak casks. There's a smorgasbord of aromas here, with a depth of vermouth-like flavours such as cinchona, olives, smoke, peat, bright bitter orange and chocolate praline. An old-fashioned wine with firm yet ripe tannins, crisp acidity, and a super-savoury character. The grainy finish is very long and briny. There is evolution here but it's not tired - instead it's full of tension." - 93 Points, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter
Bruno Giacosa
2019 Barolo 'Falletto' - $595 on offer ; $680 RRP
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2017 Barolo 'Falletto Vigna Le Rocche' Riserva - $1,530 on offer ; $1,750 RRP
Click here to email us and place an order for these Bruno Giacosas!
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above. Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices valid until Wednesday the 5th of July