Article: Vietti Barolo
Vietti Barolo
I’m thrilled to be offering two exceptional vintages from Barolo superstar Vietti — both at 40% below original release price. I tried to buy as much as I could, but - full disclosure - I only managed to secure a couple of cases of each, plus a few magnums.
As many of you know, Luca Currado and Elena Penna sold Vietti in 2016 to American investor Kyle Krause, staying on for nearly five years to ensure a seamless transition and maintain the hallmark Vietti style.
Monvigliero is regarded as the “Grand Cru” of Verduno — pale, sandy soils and sheltered exposure yield wines with haunting perfume, red-cherry purity, and a silken texture that feels almost Burgundian. Vietti acquired its first parcel in 2018 from Fabio Alessandria of Comm. G.B. Burlotto, followed by a second in 2019 under a Burgundy-style métayage (sharecropping) agreement.
The 2019 vintage: delivers classic structure and energy
The 2020 vintage brings added generosity and supple charm
Both stamped with the Currado family’s precision and grace. These bottles came directly from Luca & Elena’s personal cellar, explaining the remarkable pricing. Again, apologies, but quantities are very limited — when these are gone, there is no reload, they’re gone for good. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to own world-class Barolo from one of Piemonte’s most revered names.
(Release Price $248) The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is stunning. What a wine. Rich, heady and explosive, the. 2019 is a gorgeous, spherical Barolo that dazzles right out of the gate. Aromatically broad and expansive, the 2019 fleshes out beautifully in the glass. Bright red-toned fruit, orange zest, mint, spice and bright saline notes saturate the palate on the back end. The 2019 is a total stunner, even in this stage of youthful austerity. It comes across as a bit rustic compared to the 2018, but the final verdict on that won't be evident for at least a number of years. This is the first vintage that includes a second parcel in Monvigliero. In the cellar, one lot saw submerged cap maceration, the other did not.
- Vinous/Galloni, 97+
This is the wine Luca Currado and Elena Penna are most excited to present. And because this charming couple would leave the helm of the winery shortly after my visit with them, I like to consider the 2019 Barolo Monvigliero a symbolic send-off. Making Nebbiolo from Monvigliero is often a question of technique more than anything else, they tell me, and the learning curve is arduous. This wine sees 60% whole cluster fermentation in a single vat. Having some destemmed grapes makes fermentation easier to control. Family friend Fabio Alessandria of Comm. G.B. Burlotto offered tips on how to avoid volatile acidity or other problems with long maceration times. In fact, Vietti was able to acquire directly from Fabio Alessandria their 8,000-square-meter parcel in Monvigliero located at 300 meters in elevation on a high plain. "He passed the ball to us," says Luca Currado.
- Wine Advocate, 97
($250) A relatively new departure for Vietti, the 2020 Barolo Monvigliero is soft and delicate with pretty floral aromas, dried iris, powdered spice and a hint of tar or road pavement. The inaugural vintage was 2018. Made with 60% whole-cluster fruit during fermentation, the wine has a moment of tartness, punchy highlights, sweet grenadine and cranberry jelly. It ages in large oak casks for 24 months. Production is 6,754 bottles.
- Wine Advocate, 95
