WINE ADVOCATE – Barolo, Barbaresco & Co.

G.D. Vajra's Ravera (whose site straddles the municipalities of Novello and Barolo) is always the most angular, powerful and vertical of their collection. It comes from soils with clay and sandstone at 320 to 340 metres above sea level. This is the ideal place for wines that show both power and elegance. The tannins are sweet, but every fibre of the backbone is dense and firm. Red and purple fruits with liquorice, tar and white truffle are neatly packed here, revealing themselves only gradually but then with beautiful precision and straightforwardness. The final has a wonderfully long reverberation, great! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, radiant ruby red with a lightening rim. Expressive on the nose, of wild berries, elderberries, also floral, then eucalyptus, plus noble spice, of black tea on the final. On the palate compact, juicy, with dense tannin, comes in several layers, energetic, salty in the final." Falstaff

"Lustrous mid ruby. Subtle, fragrant and concentrated and with fantastic depth and earthy minerally notes. Cherry and raspberry fruit with a hint of damson. Richly tannic adding chew to the juicy elegant fruit. On the finish, quite a bit of tannins that still need to integrate into the very long fruit finish. Compact and pithy." Jancis Robinson

"High-toned vanilla notes tie in with blue fruit purity. Rich and weighty with layers of fresh strawberries, raspberries, dried tobaccos, leather and earthy notes on the palate." Decanter

"This focused, fragrant red offers aromas of woodland berry, new leather, wild herb and pipe tobacco. The linear palate exhibits dried cherry, mocha and toasted nut set against close-grained tannins that leave a drying finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Rich, ripe mixed berries and perfumed bark on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with some lightly firm tannin giving support to the fruit. Has a promising core. Give it a while to broaden out." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Ravera is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Gravel, smoke, cured meats, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol emerge, but only with quite a bit of reticence. This deceptively mid-weight Barolo has a good bit of brawn." Vinous

"Seamlessly stitched together, the G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Ravera reveals tight layering and smooth texture. Fruit comes from an amphitheater of vines with Tortoniana epoch sandstone clay that is typical of parts of Barolo and Novello. What stands out here is the mineral character of the wine. It frames a dark core of plum, dark cherry and soft spice." Wine Advocate

The latest addition to Vajra's Barolo line-up comes from a 1.5 hectare parcel in Coste di Rose, a small MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) in the Barolo region. This is a steep slope at 310 metres above sea level with a high proportion of sandy soils with good drainage, whose vines and soils are cultivated in a natural way. This very accessible Barolo presents itself straightforward, forward and impresses even at a young age with its refreshing frankness. A very precise bouquet of cherry, plum, liquorice, spices and menthol. On the palate, a wide and multi-layered arc of fruit with lots of juice and power, supporting tannins and a full, long and mineral-minty finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, luminous ruby red. Rich nose with floral notes of violets, roses and a slight hint of blood orange. The palate is juicy, light, with well-integrated tannins and a pleasant aftertaste. Nice acidity, fresh and mineral finish." Falstaff

"Very clean red-berry fruit on the nose, together with citrus and cedar notes. Medium body with fine-grained tannins and a tight bead of fruit at the end." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Coste di Rose is a delicate, understated Barolo that will need a bit of time to fully emerge. There's lovely purity to the fruit here, but also some angular contours that need to resolve. The 2018 is a mid-weight wine in the style of the vintage, and yet there is fine balance." Vinous

"Plenty of hidden depth of black cherry and plum. Notes of Raspberry and strawberries with complexity and a fine balance and length." Decanter

"With fruit from above the village of Barolo, the G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Coste di Rose shows a large aromatic scope and ample substance. This vineyard is characterized by very high density Diano sandstone, which explains the wine’s bigger sensorial impact. Its texture is velvety and smooth, and the wine offers lots of purple and red fruits with soft earth and perfumed flower. The vintage is open knit and broad in scope, perhaps lacking some of the brilliant focus you get in the cooler years." Wine Advocate

The grapes for the estate's classic Barolo come from the vineyards/communes of Ornato, La Serra, Briccolina in Serralunga d'Alba, Gustava and Garretti in Grinzane Cavour, Roncaglie in La Morra, Ravera in Novello and, from the 2015 vintage, also from Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba. It is more of a traditional, classic Barolo with an exciting bouquet of deep, dark fruit and a pretty potpourri of rose petals, spices, smoke and tar. It is full-bodied and firm on the palate, opening up with plenty of dense tannins, very powerful, with pressure and a full bite on the finish, designed for a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium, warm red colour; red fruity, caramel, coffee-like, leafy, deep, very inviting; round, fine, then dense, warm tannin, caramel, length, pleasing." Merum

"Even the colour is surprisingly transparent and light-coloured. The entry-level Barolo has an open, attractive bouquet with freshly picked cranberries and redcurrants, persimmon, ripe cherries, playful, shimmering, linear and multi-layered. Rather cool than opulent. Very finely woven on the palate, very elegant and almost floating, a finesse piece for elegance drinkers." Weinwisser

"Clearly fleshy-animalic aroma with red berry and fine vegetal flavours, a little dried herbs, a hint of juniper and dried floral traces. Clear, taut, almost cool, tart and juicy fruit, a little cocoa, coffee and allspice, also juniper tones, present, youthful, yet very fine tannins, some bite, persistent, elegant style, very good, juicy and finely spiced finish. A beauty." Wein-Plus

"Bright, radiant ruby red colour. Delicately spicy on the nose, some cherries and raspberries, with a hint of undergrowth, medium expression overall, yet inviting. Polished on the palate, with velvety tannins, already extremely accessible, drinks excellently, salty and radiant on the final." Falstaff

"Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Balsamic nose that slowly rises from the glass. Hints of garden herbs, brooding cherry and cranberry. Still a little tight on the nose, but more approachable on the palate with ripe, supple fruit and plenty of richness without being heavy. Lots of grainy, flavoursome tannins and a fairly firmly structured, fruit-driven finish." Jancis Robinson

"Classic bright garnet red in the glass, the wine focuses on cherry stones with tar, violets, a little camphor and sweet spices. The attack is firm and crisp, with a brilliant crispness on the palate and grainy tannins that carry through to a slightly austere finish. There's a little lack of flesh - a feature of the 2018 vintage - but this is one of the best Barolo from the village this year." Decanter

"Pio Cesare is on a wave of success, producing outstanding Barolo vintage after vintage. This wine is of tremendous intensity and beauty, with fragrant layers of pressed flowers, wild berries, vanilla and spice. It boasts a dark, powerful appearance and firm tannins supported by an excellent quality of fruit." Wine Enthusiast

"The Barolo Pio is once again impressive in 2018. Deep, multi-layered and so expressive, the 2018 offers an unusual elegance right from the start. The dark, mentholated aromas and flavours are fascinating. In 2018, the Barolo Pio also offers a certain depth that is rare in wines of this level. All elements are perfectly balanced. This is a very good vintage for the Pio." Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo opens with ripe aromas of dried plums and tobacco. This vintage lacks some of the complexity of a cooler growing season, but the results are anything but monochromatic. Those tobacco flavours recede to cedar, earth, forest floor and a hint of shaved truffle." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of spicy red cherries on a loamy base, along with savoury notes of forest floor and walnut shells. Also some orange peel. Full-bodied with very fine, firm and silky tannins and lots of long, concentrated fruit and spice flavours. Good structure for 2018, best from 2024." James Suckling

Cerretto is a fruit-driven wine of virile, explosive power that shows, among other things, how different the wines of Serralunga can be. Black cherry, plum, sage, menthol and liquorice hit the palate in a firm, tannic Barolo that will require some patience but already presents itself with remarkable freshness, purity and nuance. Cerretta is the embodiment of richness and structure of Serralunga. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Still quite tight and a little closed on the nose with an undertow of soft, perfumed red fruit. Youthful, elegant and juicy red fruit with a firm layer of chewy, lip-smacking tannins that add fireworks to the long finish. Super-elegant and at the same time very structured." Jancis Robinson

"Bright red fruit and a nut-cream note on the nose. Medium-bodied with very fine, firm tannins and a long, intense finish. Solid and focused." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Cerretta is a potent, searing wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. Scorching tannins wrap around a core of dark red/black fruit, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and game. The 2018 is going to need a number of years to come around and for those formidable tannins to soften." Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo Cerretta offers good focus with a sharp and linear style that gives way to forest berry, wild rose, rusty nail and crushed stone. The wine is extremely direct, and that's what sets it apart. In that sense, this wine is faithful to the characteristics of Serralunga d'Alba. The soils of Cerretta see a layer of white marl on the surface and red clay further down; that's where those rusty sensations must come from." Wine Advocate

Barolo Baudana 2018 storms the glass with plenty of energy and intensity. Black cherry fruit, smoke, wild herbs, liquorice and tar form a compelling backdrop of aromas, flavours and textures as this dazzling, powerhouse Barolo opens in the glass. The intense final is accompanied by delicate rose petals, lavender and a subtle mineral-salty vein. Its stable tannin framework awaits a few more years of bottle ageing, as is typically the case with a classic Serralunga Barolo. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beautifully open-knit, minerally red-fruit nose. Notes of strawberries and raspberries. Succulent fruit palate with long chewy tannins. Closes up on the finish. Elegant constitution. Long and youthful. Promising." Jancis Robinson

"Ripe, musty fruit on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins and good drive on the finish." James Suckling

"The Luigi Baudana 2018 Barolo Baudana is a full and generous wine, somewhat surprisingly so considering the understated personality of this vintage. That volume makes this bottle stand out in a crowd of 2018 releases. Dark cherry, plum, spice, rust and crushed flowers make for a soft and readily accessible wine." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Barolo Baudana offers lovely creaminess and depth in the mid-weight style of the year. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, plum, pomegranate and sweet floral notes all meld together in this racy, inviting Barolo. There's lovely depth and texture throughout. The Baudana is the most forward and immediate of the Baudana Barolos." Vinous

"Rich, exuding cherry, raspberry, plum and floral notes, with iron, tobacco and tar accents lending complexity. Shows terrific balance and depth, with a tightly wound structure that bodes well for future development." Wine Spectator

"Managed since 2009 by the Vajra family, Luigi Baudana's Baudana is fermented in oak then aged in large casks for 32 months. Open-knit with a stunning intensity of pot pourri, wild strawberry, camphor in depth and sweet violet, its graceful style continues on the palate with refined silky tannins - firm and slightly dusty - refreshing acidity and a slightly warming finish. The finish is austere yet full of liquorice elegance, and the woven integration it exhibits will keep this strong for decades. A major success for a vintage of often leaner wines." Decanter

The vivacious Chiara Boschis has been a rather modernist Barolo winemaker for over 25 years, although she now uses much less new oak than in the past. She is best known for her Cannubi, but her Mosconi, from 1 ha of this top vineyard in Monforte d'Alba, can be just as good in some vintages.

Medium to deep crimson. Very nice nose of earthy, complex cherry and blackberry fruit with subtle oak notes and a hint of pine. On the palate juicy and smooth red fruit, very concentrated. Delicious, crisp tannins. It is a plump, full-bodied and very concentrated wine that is assertive and youthful when young - but in balance. It is darker and fruitier than most classic Barolos, yet always structured, complex, taut and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, dark garnet with light rim. Very fragrant nose of wild raspberry, dark cherry, plum, clove and some cinnamon. Full and substantial on the palate, opens up with lots of hearty, grippy tannin, nice melting core, of raspberry and tobacco, long finish." Falstaff

"Plenty of tense, wild-strawberry character to this with bright minerals, too. Medium-bodied with a punchy core of bright fruit, tight tannins and a tense, crystalline finish. Needs time to even out. Best from 2024." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Mosconi shows all the gravitas and natural darkness of this site, but in miniature. Black cherry, plum, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks and incense fill out the layers. There is plenty of Mosconi muscle, even if the volume of the best years isn't there." Vinous

"This red puts it all together—macerated cherry and plum fruit, a silky texture, vibrant structure and elegance—without sacrificing power or harmony. Complex and long, with a haunting finish that provides rose, menthol, licorice and iron accents." Wine Spectator

"Chiara Boschis has recently purchased more vineyards in the Mosconi cru located at a cool 370 meters in elevation in Monforte d'Alba. This is terrific news for those who love the focus and precision that Chiara Boschis is known for. The Mosconi carries generous fruit weight and volume over a streamlined mouthfeel and tight tannins. The wine ends with fresh notes of blackberry, plum and wild rose." Wine Advocate

"The wine is quite a dense ruby colour in the glass, with restrained forest floor scents and whiffs of rosemary, chocolate and wild red fruits. Filigreed and complex, the palate has a delicate attack, firm tannins and good density, with flavours of tar and plenty of violet and pomegranate. Biting and still austere but softened by the French barriques - where the wine ages for two years." Decanter

Pajana - most modern wine of the entire Clerico range - presents itself closed, compressed and with great potential. Rich ruby with a light garnet rim. Compact nose, shows rich notes of blackberry, dark cherries, a little cinchona bark in the background. Explodes literally on the palate, lots of ripe, present fruit, then opens up with lots of fine-meshed tannin, salty depth, rich pressure. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling garnet red with ruby reflections. In the nose after pickled plums and pomegranate, in the reverberation forest strawberry, saffron and forest floor. On the palate tight and grippy tannin, deep and complex, well balanced, harmonious and elegant, final with rich fruit." Falstaff

"Clear, polished, fresh and quite tightly knit nose of mixed berries with a hint of cherries, floral nuances, slightly fleshy hints, nutty and very fine buttery aromas, Mediterranean herbs as well as some pepper and tar. Ripe, juicy, again polished and amazingly fresh fruit, moderate, delicately cocoa and coffee spicy, also a hint of smoky wood spice, fine, present, youthful tannin, persistent on the palate, good depth, a hint of liquorice, peppery ethereal traces, still undeveloped,increasingly mineral in the background, very good, firm, juicy and spicy finish. May mature." Wein-Plus

"Mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Still youthful with leafy cherry notes and oak hints. With aeration minerally and earthy notes showing through. Supple fresh cherry and raspberry fruit with touches of oak and lots of powdery tannins gaining in weight on the finish. Very long and tannic and with great lift of fresh fruit." Jancis Robinson

"Rich, raspberry-coulis nose, adding mineral and bark aromas with air. But it all remains very contained. Medium-bodied palate with very fine, firm tannins and a tight finish. Super-clean with a very tight core for now. Give it time to expand. Try from 2024." James Suckling

"It's more approachable and less austere than usual but juicy, tasty and savoury - almost salty on the palate with intoxicating flavours of fruit and flower. Despite the graceful attack, the wine is then supported by a firm structure with slightly dusty tannins. Crisp acidity carries a camphor note to the persistent finish." Decanter

"The 2018 Barolo Ginestra Pajana shows a savory character with some delicate spice and smoke that is carefully folded into dark fruit, plum and earthy flower or iris root. Fruit comes from a site in the Ginestra MGA that was planted in 1971 with additional vines added in 1991. The wine shows excellent complexity and balanced intensity that is well-suited to long cellar aging." Wine Advocate

The great Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra from the historic Clerico vineyard. Bright garnet red. Open-hearted bouquet of ripe fruit and spices, the elegant tannins are accompanied by a pleasant freshness in the complex taste, deep and long on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Clear, firm and deep, multi-layered, slightly juniper red and black berry scent with dried herb notes, some tobacco, dried rose petals, a little tobacco and mineral nuances. Ripe, dense, juicy fruit, some cocoa and coffee spicy wood, present, very fine tannin and some acid bite, smoky and dried meaty hints, a little leather, persistent, good depth, again distinct minerality, ethereal, mainly peppery and juniper spice, lots of power but also polish, very good to long, firm, juicy and spicy finish, again with polish." Wein-Plus

"Bright ruby garnet, medium density. Appealing, intense nose with rich notes of raspberry, prune and peach, rhubarb in the background. Lots of fine-mesh tannin on the attack, coated in sweet melting, builds well, juicy fruit." Falstaff

"Great purity on the nose, with beautifully integrated oak and spicy-sweet cherry fruit. Compact, fruity palate with lots of juice and grainy tannins built like a house. Fantastic length, focus and energy." Jancis Robinson

"Super concentrated and super focused red berry and oak vanilla character on the nose. Medium-bodied with very fine, firm tannin. The deep, pristine core of fruit pushes through. Give it time to balance itself out." James Suckling

"The 2018 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin from Domenico Clerico, one of Piedmont's iconic producers, offers stunning complexity with a fine mesh of aromas ranging from black and purple fruits to rusty nails, candied orange peel and liquorice. It culminates in a beautiful aromatic lift that comes in the form of dried mint and roasted anise." Wine Advocate

Dark cherries, menthol, flowers and tar are just some of the classic notes in the complex bouquet of the Bricco Pernice from the Ravera single vineyard. On the palate, the austere structure and great power are joined by a fine inner sweetness. In the long finish, memories of damp earth, dried herbs and wild flowers. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. A little rich on the nose but not lacking in precision and showing great depth. Still not completely open. Brooding but with aeration becomes more floral and perfumed. Mouth-filling juicy fruit with polished, fine, almost velvety tannins. Closes up on the finish but showing impeccable balance. Outstanding for the vintage." Jancis Robinson

"Deep-set nose of bright, spicy cherry with layers of minerals, from chalk to river stones. Medium-to full-bodied with really nicely placed, still firm tannins and excellent spicy and mineral drive on the finish. There’s a cool feel to the palate. This is in the full bloom of youth and, though attractive now, will age nicely. Try from 2024." James Suckling

"This is a medium-bodied Nebbiolo from a hot vintage with a ruby-tinged appearance. The 2017 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice shows generous inner fiber and richness with dried cherry, blackberry, plum and dark spice. Fruit for this wine comes from a beautiful amphitheater of vines with the perched town of Novello high up on the skyline. I love the especially smooth and soft quality to what is a powerful and lasting wine. Only 3,500 bottles were made." Wine Advocate

"A pretty red, boasting rose, strawberry and raspberry flavors accented by mown hay, leather, iron and tobacco. In terms of texture and structure, this is like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Fine length." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Barolo Bricco Pernice is superb. Silky and soft, with gorgeous textural finesse, the 2017 is all class right out of the gate. Hints of rose petal, orange zest, cinnamon and star anise meld into sweet red cherry and raspberry fruit. The 2017 can be enjoyed now or cellared. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous wine in every way." Vinous

"Defying the heat of the scorching vintage, this fragrant red has aromas of iris, violet, wild berry, leather and eucalyptus. On the full-bodied, delicious palate, fresh acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins support dried cherry, nutmeg and licorice before a tobacco finish." Wine Enthusiast

Brilliant and finely shaped on the palate. Expressive, floral notes merge with bright red fruits, mint and ground berries to create a lively and distinctive Barolo that is endowed with pure energy and class. Albe is juicy and fruity and a clear buy not only because of its comparatively moderate price. It comes from the three plots Fossati, Castello della Volta and Costa di Vergne. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby and healthy looking. Spicy and stony raspberry and cherry fruit that is lively and with notes of red fruit. The fruit becomes more concentrated the longer it sits in the glass. Supple and gentle fruit palate with crunchy tannins. Long and with a certain leggerezza. Filigree and at the same time intense." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of ripe raspberries and dark spice follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate, with some fine, fruit and spice-coated tannin and a medium finish that firms up at the end." James Suckling

"This wine consistently delivers one of the greatest values to be found in Italian wine. The G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Albe has all its cards in play as an immediately enjoyable and extremely food-friendly Nebbiolo. This really is the top of the category in that sense. With straightforward winemaking, the wine offers bold cherry, wild plum and plenty of fragrant blue flower and violet. This vintage has the added benefit of softly textured richness." Wine Advocate

A few years ago, Pio Boffa, who has unfortunately passed away in the meantime, bought himself a "small" present for his 60th birthday. Not a new set of golf clubs, a picture hanging in the hall, a holiday for him and the family. No. Just a vineyard called Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba, a region of Piedmont where four generations of the Pio Cesare dynasty never gained a foothold. Originally, the grapes from the 10-hectare vineyard were to enhance the quality of his classic Barolo, but after the first barrel samples, it was unmistakably clear to Pio Boffa that this would be at least an equal - if stylistically different - counterpart to the hitherto undisputed flagship Ornato.

Mosconi is more light-footed than Ornato, with red rather than black fruits dominating the nose, along with irresistible liquorice and a juiciness that will immediately earn it a top place in the entire appellation. On the palate, it has a precision that is unparalleled, less punchy than Ornato, but more elegant and subtle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Another transparent ruby red with garnet reflections. Exciting bouquet with distinct notes of blood oranges and candied orange peel, plus finest Dominican tobacco and leather, dazzling and individual. Elegant palate with fresh, cherry-influenced fruit, grippy, punchy, finely chiselled style with silky firm tannin, plus salty mineral nuances in the long finish." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby garnet with brightening rim. Very inviting and clear nose of sweet wild raspberries, cherry and rose petals, some cardamom in the background. Gripping, gripping tannin, shows discreet earthy notes, after truffle and tobacco, very grippy on the final, salty, needs a few more years." Falstaff

"Medium ruby red with orange reflections. Almost explosive minerality on the nose with a hint of sour cherry and a hint of spicy oak. Complex but still restrained on the nose. Wonderfully supple fruit with polished, finely honed but firm tannins almost a little reminiscent of Serralunga. Plenty of stuff to chew on and spectacular, layered flavours on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Rich, with plum and cherry aromas, this Barolo also shows a spicy side of eucalyptus, liquorice and clove. Shows viscosity in texture as well as excellent balance. It finishes with dense, refined tannins and lingering notes of macerated fruit and savory." Wine Spectator

"The 2018 Barolo Mosconi is magnificent. It offers a complex blend of rose petals, dried herbs, iron, graphite, smoke, incense, scorched earth and blood orange, capturing all the complexity that makes the best Barolos from this site so compelling. Powerful and profound, but also very elegant, the 2018 is another fine Barolo from a winery that has made a pretty significant stylistic shift in recent years." Vinous

"Very compact on the nose and palate, with notes of dried red berries, truffle, sous-bois and dried flowers. Full-bodied with a fine tannin structure and a very long finish. Compact and solid. This wine still needs a lot of time to open up, but already shows real class. Try it from 2025." James Suckling

"Compared to the Ornato, the 2018 Barolo Mosconi (with fruit from Monforte d'Alba) shows a tighter and more compact quality with a direct, linear and powerful approach. The bouquet builds vertical intensity, starting with tart fruit aromas and culminating in tar, rusty nails and camphor ash. This aromatic ascent is swift and the wine finishes with a very broad, all-encompassing performance." Wine Advocate

"From soils with a combination of silt, clay and, to a small extent, sandstone, a perfect photo of the terroir of Monforte. Cornel on the nose, with notes of pink grapefruit and clove, mouth with iodine-spicy tannins, crispness and tension, nice persistence." Luca Gardini

Barolo Ornato is a great wine every year. It captures the true character of Serralunga with its wild herbs, minerals and ferruginous notes. Its bouquet shows small berry fruits and cassis, framed by gravel, forest floor, blue flowers and candied orange peel. The wine also has a dusty, mineral note and is intense on both the nose and palate. Ornato sets in with finely integrated tannins and an acidity that sustains all these fruit flavours. A wine that is consistently vertical, straightforward and frontal. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderfully fragrant, subtle bouquet with notes of freshly pressed pomegranate, redcurrant and heart cherries, again some blood orange. More elegant, clearly more compact and multi-layered palate than the two predecessors, simply has more density and power, but remains elegant and enormously juicy, immensely polished tannin, absolutely coherent, shows ripe fruit, fine melting." Weinwisser

"Medium ruby red with orange reflections. Beautiful, open and ripe cherry aroma with minerals and a hint of liquorice and lots of depth. Generous, supple fruit with gripping tannins that form a real unit. Great length with lots of powdery tannins, juice and grip. Simply irresistible, but might be too austere for most palates at the moment." Jancis Robinson

"The 2018 Barolo Ornato reveals some very distant hot season aromas, vaguely reminiscent of dried raspberries or stewed plums. The Nebbiolo is very sensitive to the warmer temperatures and even a hint of extra ripeness is easy to detect. However, the wine is fluid and constantly evolving. The fruit-driven aromas soon turn into a brooding complexity with smoke, tar and liquorice. The Ornato paints a broad picture of the intensity typical of Serralunga d'Alba." Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Barolo Ornato is sombre, brooding and quite self-contained. There is a lot of aromatic and flavour complexity, but the fruit is very much in the background. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 emerges or if it remains rather compact as it is today. There is a good amount of density and power behind all the tannin. Hints of blood orange, crushed raspberry, rose petal and cinnamon linger on the super classy finish." Vinous

"Spicy, with notes of white pepper, cumin, fennel seed and minerals framing a core of preserved plums and cherries. Dense, viscous and lively, balanced and expressive. It finishes with excellent length and power." Wine Spectator

"Pio Cesare owns most of Ornato, which lies between Briccolina and Falletto. The Serralunga character is particularly typical here, with fruits of wild strawberries and cherries combined with rhubarb and minerality. The attack is silky, with great concentration and savouriness, woven acidity and refined tannins through to the lingering finish." Decanter

"Complex on the nose, with a mix of ripe red berries, nutty minerals, orange peel and spices. Also some spicy, almost meaty notes. Full, compact and intense, but very graceful on the palate thanks to the fine tannins. Very polished and promising. Stylish. Still needs some time. Try it from 2025." James Suckling

"From Cascina Ornato, Pio Cesare's first cru, first produced in 1985, a Barolo of power and structure. On the nose blackcurrant, notes of liquorice and peony. The mouthfeel has spicy, salty tannins and a finish with notes of liquorice and small black fruits. Long lasting." Luca Gardini

The grapes for the estate's classic Barolo come from the vineyards/communes of Ornato, La Serra, Briccolina in Serralunga d'Alba, Gustava and Garretti in Grinzane Cavour, Roncaglie in La Morra, Ravera in Novello and, from the 2015 vintage, also from Mosconi in Monforte d'Alba. It is more of a traditional, classic Barolo with an exciting bouquet of deep, dark fruit and a pretty potpourri of rose petals, spices, smoke and tar. It is full-bodied and firm on the palate, opening up with a lot of dense tannin, very powerful, with pressure and a full bite on the finish, designed for a long life. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium, warm red colour; red fruity, caramel, coffee-like, leafy, deep, very inviting; round, fine, then dense, warm tannin, caramel, length, pleasing." Merum

"Even the colour is surprisingly transparent and light-coloured. The entry-level Barolo has an open, attractive bouquet with freshly picked cranberries and redcurrants, persimmon, ripe cherries, playful, shimmering, linear and multi-layered. Rather cool than opulent. Very finely woven on the palate, very elegant and almost floating, a finesse piece for elegance drinkers." Weinwisser

"Clearly fleshy-animalic aroma with red berry and fine vegetal flavours, a little dried herbs, a hint of juniper and dried floral traces. Clear, taut, almost cool, tart and juicy fruit, a little cocoa, coffee and allspice, also juniper tones, present, youthful, yet very fine tannin, some bite, persistent, elegant style, very good, juicy and finely spiced finish. A beauty." Wein-Plus

"Bright, radiant ruby red colour. Delicately spicy on the nose, some cherries and raspberries, with a hint of undergrowth, medium expression overall, yet inviting. Polished on the palate, with velvety tannins, already extremely accessible, drinks excellently, salty and radiant on the final." Falstaff

"Brilliant medium ruby red colour. Balsamic nose that slowly rises from the glass. Hints of garden herbs, brooding cherry and cranberry. Still a little tight on the nose, but more approachable on the palate with ripe, supple fruit and plenty of richness without being heavy. Lots of grainy, flavoursome tannins and a fairly firmly structured, fruit-driven finish." Jancis Robinson

"Classic bright garnet red in the glass, the wine focuses on cherry stones with tar, violets, a little camphor and sweet spices. The attack is firm and crisp, with a brilliant crispness on the palate and grainy tannins that carry through to a slightly austere finish. There's a little lack of flesh - a feature of the 2018 vintage - but this is one of the best Barolo from the village this year." Decanter

"Pio Cesare is on a roll, producing outstanding Barolo vintage after vintage. This wine is of tremendous intensity and beauty, with fragrant layers of pressed flowers, wild berries, vanilla and spice. It boasts a dark, powerful appearance and firm tannins supported by an excellent quality of fruit." Wine Enthusiast

"The Barolo Pio is once again impressive in 2018. Deep, multi-layered and so expressive, the 2018 offers an unusual elegance right from the start. The dark, mentholated aromas and flavours are fascinating. In 2018, the Barolo Pio also offers a certain depth that is rare in wines of this level. All the elements are perfectly balanced. This is a very good vintage for the Pio." Vinous

"The 2018 Barolo opens with ripe aromas of dried plums and tobacco. This vintage lacks some of the complexity of a cooler growing season, but the results are anything but monochromatic. Those tobacco flavours recede to cedar, earth, forest floor and a hint of shaved truffle." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of spicy red cherries on a loamy base, along with savoury notes of forest floor and walnut shells. Also some orange peel. Full-bodied with very fine, firm and silky tannins and lots of long, concentrated fruit and spice flavours. Good structure for 2018, best from 2024." James Suckling

Barolo Campè occupies top positions among its high-profile competitors almost every year. Fittingly, the majestic red bears the king of beasts, a lion, on its ornate yellow label. We think: There is hardly a better graphic interpretation of this powerful, stately wine. An all-around successful experience

On the nose, aromas of flowers and berries, with notes of vanilla and a hint of rosebud, full-bodied and very concentrated, with great, initially chewy tannin and a long, powerful final. SUPERIORE.DE

"La Spinetta's 2018 Barolo Campè possesses uncommon depth for the year. There's terrific breadth in the dark red cherry/plum fruit. New leather, spice, tobacco, menthol, licorice and orange peel notes. Like all wines in 2018, the Campè is on the lighter side. Even so, proprietor Giorgio Rivetti and longtime winemaker Stefano Mazzetta clearly got the best out of the vintage." Vinous

"Boasting an orange lion on the label meant to symbolize "Barolo, the king on wines," the La Spinetta 2018 Barolo Campè Vürsù is bold, elegant and firm. In a vintage that often delivers understated wines, this expression feels especially intense, ripe and thickly layered. Dark fruit, plum, earth and spice rose from the bouquet. The tannins stand out in the 2018." Wine Advocate

"A solid and powerful 2018 with plum, earth, black truffle and mahogany aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, chewy and rich at the end for the vintage. Try after 2025." James Suckling