Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 2011

A blend of four small parcels, Le Vigne is Luciano Sandrone’s ode to traditional or regional-blended Barolo. To this end, all the sites that contribute to Le Vigne are markedly different in terms of altitude, exposure and soil, and together they help provide a broad overview of Barolo in a given year. As with the previous release, this wine now includes fruit from four communes: Barolo (Vignane), Serralunga (Baudana), Novello (Merli) and a new source in Castiglione Falletto—the renowned Villero. Sandrone has taken a long-term lease of 1.5 hectares of this latter Cru (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.

“This shows real clarity and precision of fruit and fine tannins. The bark and mushroom character is fascinating, but the extended character of wet earth adds to the whole experience. It’s so long and refined, yet muscular. Just starting to open now. Fantastic. One to drink or hold.” 98 points, James Suckling jamessuckling.com (tasted 2021)