2019 Barolo

by Toby Jamieson

Writing for Decanter, Aldo Fiordelli declared 2019 a ‘classic‘ vintage in Barolo, rating it five out of five stars.
Having endured snow, a wet and windy spring, a heat wave, and a scattering of showers just before harvest, it wasn’t clear how the vines would fare in 2019. Happily, although grapes took a little longer to ripen, the best winemakers have produced wines with great structure and power with all the bright fruit, firm tannins and intense freshness that Nebbiolo can offer in a great year.
Tasting with our beloved Barolo producers earlier this year, I was blown away by the quality.
Andrea Oberto, a beloved estate in the heart of La Morra that has graced the L&S shelves for many years, continues to impress. The wines are certainly classic, and powerful, but set themselves apart with their hallmark charm and elegance.
Barale Fratelli’s offering had great purity of fruit but again coupled with astonishing power and intensity - Galloni perfectly described the Bussia as “An old-school, strapping wine with tons of personality. (…) This beguiling and complex wine really captures the mystique of Nebbiolo”.
Roccheviberti, one of our exciting newer listings, takes grapes from old vines around the various communes to produce a fabulous village Barolo. Despite their more humble classification, these ancient vines produce grapes of enormous depth and intensity, so they are outstanding value.
Although there is much excitement for the ‘classic’ styles in 2019, the more modern side of Barolo also shone in this vintage. Marziano Abbona, another relative newcomer to our Piedmonte portfolio, is a solid reference for contemporary Barolo and is producing some truly mouthwatering wines, still with a tannic backbone, but with a clear, fruit-forward focus.
2019 is a vintage that requires some patience but will deliver in abundance when you crack open that first bottle in a few short years’ time. Saluti!

If you have any questions about the wines or would like to place an order, please email your account manager or privateclients@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

REVIEWS

Antonio Galloni – Vinous

‘After the highly problematic and uneven 2018s, Barolo bounces back with a stellar vintage in 2019 that could very well represent the beginning of a new cycle of strong, outstanding years for this historic appellation. ’

Aldo Fiordelli – Decanter

‘Classic’

‘The wines of this vintage have slightly more acidity, more structure, a bit of sternness: trademark Barolo.’