2018 Virna Barolo Sarmassa
I had to double-check this one—twice. When the 2018 Virna Barolo Sarmassa landed on a closeout list for half of what we originally sold it for, I thought it had to be a mistake. But it wasn’t. After confirming the price and opening a bottle the moment it arrived, I can say with total confidence: this is the best Barolo deal I’ve ever offered.
If you’ve been following my emails, you’ll know the Virna Barolo “Normale” has long been a go-to value, usually around $45. The new 2021 is here now, and it’s excellent. But the Sarmassa bottling? That’s another story entirely—deeper, richer, and sourced from one of Barolo’s most revered crus.
This 2018 is everything you want in serious Barolo: layers of dark fruit, truffle, and spice, with a 30-second finish and flawless balance. I’d call it a $100 wine—today it’s just $48. Only 60 bottles were available, and I would’ve taken a pallet if I could.
Click the Buy button with confidence—this one’s going to disappear fast.
The Virna 2018 Barolo Sarmassa sources its fruit from a fully south-facing site planted to 50-year-old vines. The wine offers a twofold delivery of both power and grace. The fruit is finely nuanced with forest berry and wild plum, but there are chalky mineral sensations with plenty of blue flower and fragrant tea leaf. The tannins give firm support. Only 3,000 bottles were released.Â
- Wine Advocate, 94
