Following on from yesterday's sneak preview of the vintage, Walter reviews 53 Barolo 2020s as well as some late releases and a generous sprinkling of other wines. His photo shows Lorenzo (left) and Luigi Scavino of the Azelia estate.
The 53 Barolo 2020s are followed by 15 late releases from earlier vintages and then 28 non-Barolo wines newly released from these estates. The Barolos are grouped by commune and within the communes by cru (named vineyard), ordered very loosely in ascending order of importance; the other wines are grouped by style/grape variety.
Barolo 2020
Intercommunal blends
ArnaldoRivera (Terre del Barolo), Undicicomuni 2020 Barolo
Palish ruby. Cherry with notes of wet earth. Elegant, cool red fruit with gripping ripe tannins that line the fruit on the finish. Ready now. (WS)
Azelia 2020 Barolo
Grapes came from 55-years-old vines. Aged for two years in large oak and one year in bottle.
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Impressive minerality on the nose and with subtle, concentrated, red-fruit notes and wild strawberry. Great acidity streamlining the red fruit and with a nice bite of tannins on the finish, while the fresh fruit rules. (WS)
Gian Luca Colombo, NICBARR 2020 Barolo
The abbreviation stands for ‘Name in Code Bricco Ambrogio, Roere di Santa Maria and Ravera’, the three vineyards the grapes came from. Aged in oval Stockinger Austrian oak for 18 months followed by 16 months in bottle. Bottled in November 2022.
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Lifted, balsamic and still a little closed. Juicy, youthful and with superfine, persistent tannins wrapping around the fresh fruit. Lively and elegant. (WS)
Fogliati, Treturne 2020 Barolo
Just mid ruby. Balsamic, chalky raspberry nose with hints of incense. With aeration the nose really opens up and becomes more aromatic Bright, fresh, long raspberry and cherry fruit with coating tannins kicking in on the finish. Gorgeous, long, textured raspberry finish. (WS)
Bartolo Mascarello 2020 Barolo
Pale lustrous ruby. Deep, spice and dried cherry with minerally liquorice. Gorgeous lightness of touch with fine, long tannins. Super-elegant, long and captivating. (WS)
14.5%Massolino 2020 Barolo
Lustrous mid ruby. Richness of fruit on the nose with a hint of gingerbread. With aeration opens up to savoury cherry, if still a little subdued. Supple, suave cherry fruit with superfine, long, chewy tannins. A pretty wine. (WS)
Luigi Oddero 2020 Barolo
Grapes came from La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba.
Lustrous mid ruby. Fine, peppery nose of red fruit, but still very closed. On the palate the firm tannic load manages to integrate with the savoury juicy red fruit. Very long and ends a little vibrant and with tannic grip. Elegant and energetic. (WS)
Luciano Sandrone, Le Vigne 2020 Barolo
Lustrous deep ruby. Seductive nose of red fruit with a note of oak perfectly aligned with the fruit. Succulent and at the same time youthful and fresh. Firm tannins giving the fruit its spine. Long and succulent, but the tannins need more time to integrate. (WS)