Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2019 1500ml Magnum
A blend of several small parcels of vines from several communes, Le Vigne is Sandrone's ode to the classic, Barolo-wide blend that was once the norm. All the sites that contribute to Le Vigne are markedly different from each other in terms of altitude, soil and exposure, and together provide a broad overview of Barolo in a given year. 2019 is the first year to include Nebbiolo from Sandrone's new holding in Le Coste di Monforte (pictured above). Sandrone has been farming this Monforte d'Alba site since 2000. So, from this vintage, Le Vigne includes fruit from five communes: Barolo, Serralunga d'Alba, Novello, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte d'Alba. Regarding the winemaking, wild yeast fermentation begins in tank before malolactic conversion and aging in mostly used, 500-litre French oak casks. Approximately 20-30% of the fruit is fermented as bunches, with the destemmed portion having a very high percentage of whole berries. Time on skins varied from ten days to up to one month. Total time in oak was 20-22 months and the wine was, as always, bottled unfiltered. What can we add to the notes below? Well, the wine is considerably more approachable than Galloni's note, published 18 months ago, suggests. Indeed, at a dinner this week in Melbourne the wine looked positively charming, served with Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. And for what it?s worth, Barbara Sandrone agrees!
Wow - serious concentration and intensity here. The nose kept evolving and shifting everytime you went back to smell it. Red cherry, orange oil, cedar- I could go on. It's youthful but already in great balance - no overt austerity to speak of. Seamless in its flow. If comparing to the Aleste, a little more red fruited and more generosity in the mid palate. Jeremy Muller, FWC.
'Rose, menthol, star anise and baking spice are just some of the aromas that appear on the gorgeous Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2019. Focused, elegant and savory, the vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, crushed mint and ground clove before a licorice close. A backbone of fine-grained tannins provide support while bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced and loaded with energy and tension. What a stunner.' 98 points, Kerin O'Keefe, kerinokeefe.com
'The 2019 Barolo Le Vigne is pure and total seduction. Kirsch, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, cedar, dried herbs and orange peel all grace a Le Vigne built on mid-weight structure and energy. There is a feeling of youthful classicism and austerity that is so beguiling. Readers should plan on being patient, though. The 2019 won't be ready to drink anytime soon, but there is enough fruit to make me think it will be superb, in time.' 97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
'The 2019 Barolo Le Vigne is a historic blend of fruit from Baudana in Serralunga d'Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in Barolo and Merli in Novello. This year, a fifth site was added to the final blend. It is the Le Coste MGA in Barolo with south-facing exposures and 45-year-old vines in a two-hectare parcel. The backbone of this wine is Baudana, and Merli adds freshness. The wine needs more time in bottle, but already it proves generous and bold with dark fruit, spice and crushed mineral.' 97+ points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
