2019 Barolo Monfalletto

The 2019 Barolo Monfalletto is a dense, powerful wine. I don't remember a vintage of the Monfalletto with this much sheer concentration and color saturation. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, licorice and new leather are all dialed up. The 2019 is undoubtedly a very fine Barolo, but the style is pretty pushed in the direction of textural opulence. In my view, some La Morra typicity is lost, but, to be fair, expressive village character does not seem to be the objective here. I am very intrigued to see how this ages.

Two weeks of skin maceration and aged for 20 months in large casks and barriques, of which 20% were new. Lustrous deep ruby. Savoury nose with underlying richness, but still closed and brooding. Just a hint of spicy oak but hardly discernible. Succulent, ripe fruit with lots of acidity and compact, long tannins. Seems ready and already delivering, but the tannins need more time. (WS)

The 2019 Barolo Monfalletto (made with organic fruit selection from across the vineyards that surround the winery in La Morra) shows grit, density and rich texture. The house style prizes muscle and brawn in this vintage that lends itself handily to these qualities. Pressed cherry and blackberry cede to licorice, cured tobacco and iron ore. With 53,000 bottles released, this is the estate's most representative Barolo.