Comm. G.b. Burlotto
Paolo Scavino
Monvigliero Barolo Nebbiolo 2020
Mention “Monvigliero” around any Barolo nut and there is a better than good chance you might witness the following behavior: waxing poetic in hushed tones, sighing, swooning…possibly fainting. Monvigliero truly is the zeitgeist. For over 40 years, Comm. G.B. Burlotto (and Fratelli Alessandria before them), have quietly been making great single-vineyard Monvigliero and it was only in the last 10-15 years that the world started to catch on to the magic that was happening in Verduno. In the last handful of years alone, there have been a flurry of producers with holdings in Monvigliero that have released their own single-vineyard expression. However, what many may not realize is that Enrico Scavino and his daughters have been producing a “Monvigliero” since 2007, making them one of the first half dozen to do so. I’m only suggesting that the Scavino’s knew there was something special there well before the hype train came to the station.
Popped and poured; enjoyed with dinner and over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 “Monvigliero” pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. The nose is gorgeous; seemingly darker fruited with blackberry, pomegranate, black cherry lozenges, roses and spice box. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin (though friendly) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lithe. An elegant wine and downright delicious. I think Paolo Scavino did a fabulous job of capturing the synergy of what Mother Nature gave in the 2020 vintage and the source of their fruit in the heart of the Monvigliero MGA. These are very early days for this wine but it’s already a joy to drink now but I expect this will continue a lovely evolution through 2038, easy. — a year ago
Fratelli Alessandria
Monvigliero Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
Believe it or not, Fratelli Alessandria was the very first to commercially offer a single expression of Monvigliero (1978); three years before Comm. G.B. Burlotto. That being said, both have played a role in defining the style of this, most famous MGA in Verduno.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2010 Monvigliero pours a bright garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of ripe and tart, mostly red and some dark fruit: wild forest strawberries, mixed brambles, Morello cherry, pomegranate, truffle, roses, dried green herbs, licorice, some tar, forest floor and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and slightly savory. I think this is in a really lovely spot and anyone who has multiples should try one during this phase of its evolution. That being said, this has a long life ahead. Drink now with patience through 2050+ — 8 months ago
Chris MacLean
Gorgeous in 2024. So floral. — a month ago