The Latest / Guide to Barolo

As passionate explorers of Barolo, we've delved into the region's vintage history since 1961, uncovering how each year's unique climate has sculpted these revered wines. This journey reveals the dramatic shift from the unpredictability of earlier cooler years to the recent warmer vintages, which, against all odds, have produced wines with remarkable balance. The following serves as both a chronicle and a guide, helping fellow enthusiasts and collectors navigate the complex landscape of Barolo vintages, from those that demand patience to age to those that are a joy to drink now.

After our tour of all the Barolo villages, it's time to get down to the business of buying the best Barolo. We've compiled a few lists, here, with all the producers you need to know to get your cellar stocked.

One of these villages has one of the hottest, most sought after producers of today, Burlotto. Another has a very exciting producer making some very special wines, Elvio Cogno. And there are definitely other secrets to unearth, so read on!

 

Serralunga is the only village that is more Barolo than Barolo itself. 

Barolo, the DOC, may get its name from Barolo, the village, but the essence of Barolo – its power, its structure, its nuance, its cherry fruit, its aromas – is found more in Serralunga than anywhere else. 

We’re going to take you through the story of why Barolo is so special, and how and why it is that the world finally figured that out.

Then we’re going to treat it just like Burgundy by touring all of Barolo’s villages, highlighting what is special about each of them.

We’ll talk about all the important Crus and producers, and of courses there will be plenty of specific buying recommendations along the way. 

Monforte shines through its sheer diversity. 

It does have quite a bit of limestone in its soils, but less than Serralunga, and in general the soil types, altitudes and orientations are as mixed up in Monforte as in any other village. 

I adore Castiglione di Falletto because it is balanced.  The best wines possess a regalness and composure that is only possible when you stray from the opposite ends of a spectrum and wander towards the happy middle.  

Here you have wines that do have intense structure and aromas – of course, as this is Barolo! – but also poise. 

These vineyards only make up about 10% of the DOC Barolo, but they make a far larger percentage of the best known wine, and 100% of the village is entitled to produce Nebbiolo called Barolo.

La Morra is a very important village! And not just because it’s charming to visit and has a number of top producers and vineyard sites. 

It’s also important because it produces a lot of wine! Look at any map of Barolo’s villages and  you’ll see that La Morra is a giant blob taking over the entire northwest corner of the area. This blob produces around 25% of all Barolo.

In the wine world, people are often reluctant to pick favorites, especially in print. But I’m going to do it anyway: I declare that Barolo is the greatest wine of Italy. I love many wines from all over Italy, but I have picked a favorite, and it is Barolo.