Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2018
A blend of four small parcels, Le Vigne is Sandrone’s ode to the classical, Barolo-wide blend that was once the norm. To this end, all the sites that contribute to Le Vigne are markedly different in terms of altitude, exposure and soil. Together they help provide a broad overview of Barolo in any given year. Le Vigne includes fruit from four communes: Barolo (Vignane), Serralunga (Baudana), Novello (Merli) and Castiglione Falletto—in the renowned Villero cru. Sandrone has a long-term lease of this latter site (perhaps best-known for Bruno Giacosa’s Villero bottlings between 1978 and 1996). The vines here average around 30 years of age, and Sandrone credits the Villero fruit as adding depth and structure to the blend.
From the 2019 vintage, Sandrone has added a fifth commune to Le Vigne with the addition of a new holding in Le Coste di Monforte in Monforte d’Alba (more on this in later offers). Having such blending options, it is hardly a wonder that Le Vigne is today garnering similar or higher scores than the Aleste (Cannubi Boschis).It’s not a competition of course—rather, the two wines offer unique and equally impressive expressions of Barolo. They are the two faces of the Sandrone coin.
Regarding the winemaking, the fruit was mostly destemmed with 25% whole-bunches. Wild yeast fermentation began in tank and following between 10 to 30 days of maceration (depending on the parcel) the maturation occurred in mostly used, 500-litre French oak casks (only 20% new) for 18 months. The wine was bottled unfiltered and then held for a further 18 months before release. - Producer's Note
“One of my personal favorites, the 2018 Barolo Le Vigne is savory in character and packed with dark fruit. Ripe cherry and redcurrant cedes to spice, licorice and fragrant rose. The oak is integrated, but there are added accents of spice and dark tar. Le Vigne is a blend of fruit from Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in Barolo and Merli in Novello.” 96+ points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“The delicate mix of creamy red berries and savory, truffley notes keeps your nose glued to the glass. And that subtlety is carried over into the medium-to full-bodied palate, where there’s a youthful balance of silky fruit and lightly firm tannins that drives gently through the long finish. Subtle is the word, but excellent is the verdict. So tempting to drink now, but give it a couple of years. Try from 2024.” 95 points, James Suckling.
“The 2018 Barolo Le Vigne is a mid-weight, tightly wound wine, with a classic sense of austerity that will need at least a few years in bottle to start softening. Red cherry fruit, white flowers, mint and chalk lend brightness and tension throughout. In 2018, the blend of vineyards is Baudana, Villero, Vignane and Merli.” 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
