Barolo 'Prapò'

Score

97

"Paolo Scavino has crushed the 2021 vintage for its Barolos and the family's Prapò is another gorgeous showing. It opens with intense aromas of ripe dark-skinned berry, star anise, violet and new leather. Showing its Serralunga roots, the structured, full-bodied palate features a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins that support ripe red cherry, cranberry, star anise and mocha before a cool, mentholated finish. Bright acidity provides balance and great tension. Promising great longevity, it's youthfully austere at this stage and will benefit from more cellaring. Drink 2036–2051. Abv: 14.5%"

Score

96

"The 2021 Barolo Prapò is fabulous. It offers up an exotic mix of dark fruit, lavender, graphite, plum and scorched earth, with firm, muscular Serralunga tannins to back it all up. Readers will have to be patient with the 2021. It's a superb wine in the making, but very much a Serralunga Barolo that needs time to blossom."

Score

96

"A brilliant red, whose cherry, raspberry, floral and fresh-cut hay aromas and flavors are expressive and fresh. Its structure is firm and dense, with fine-grained tannins and typical Serralunga tension. Harmonious but needs time to integrate, with a lingering, fruit- and mineral-tinged finish. Best from 2029 through 2050.—B.S."

Score

95

"With 30ha in eight of Barolo's villages, Paolo Scavino crafts one MGA bottling from each. In Serralunga, the family selected the relatively small Prapò site, where they own 0.7ha. After replanting with a massal selection in 2010, the first vintage was 2015, and considering the relative youth of vines, there is significant depth here. Aromas slowly reveal lilac intertwined with porcini and tilled earth. An imposing tannic backbone currently boasts the upper hand, however. Tangy blackcurrants are buried in the concentrated core, pierced by steely acidity. Time in the bottle will do this a great favour."

Score

95

"This shows aromas of violets, crushed stones and dried cranberries. The palate is medium-bodied with caressing, chewy tannins and attractive fruit that will have to briefly wait for the tannins to recede. A solid wine. Better wait a few years to fully enjoy this exceptional wine. Try from 2027."

Score

95

"Here is an intense Nebbiolo that shows all the depth and power of Serralunga d'Alba. The Paolo Scavino 2021 Barolo Prapò is a well-built wine with ample flavor parameters that extend both horizontally and vertically. That wide sweep includes dark fruit, plum, red rose and iron ore. The tannins are a little softer compared to many other expressions from this village, and the wine offers medium-plus richness to close. The Scavino family purchased this 0.7-hectare vineyard in 2008 and planted it in 2010. Nebbiolo vines with loose clusters, low yields and better ripening were chosen for a massal selection. Open clusters are helpful in combating mildew disease. The family noticed that Prapò develops a pretty sense of sweetness and aromatic complexity, and that's why they decided to ferment it separately. However, Prapò is ultimately less extreme compared to some of the other sites in this village."

Score

95

"Seductive and charming with cherries, crushed raspberries, warm herbs, bark and baking spices. Full body with fine tannins and bright acidity. Well-weighted with a succulent core of sour cherries and red currants at the center and a dash of citrus too. Focused and poised with a long finish. Try after 2028."

Score

95

"The 2020 Barolo Prapò is another impressive wine from the Scavino family in this vintage. Dark and somber, with plenty of Serralunga tannin, the 2020 impresses with its superb balance and class. Dark fruit, iron, leather, menthol and espresso build as this dramatic, wonderfully resonant Barolo shows off its stylish personality. Elegance and power."

Score

95

"Prapò, a renowned Barolo cru, yields a captivating wine with dark red fruits and a superpretty nose. Lifted herbal notes intertwine with fruit and earth, creating a harmonious blend. The texture is elegant and the well-balanced tannins provide structure. A stunning expression of Nebbiolo from a top-tier vineyard. Drink 2025–2045. Cellar Selection. —J.P."

Score

94

"Dark red in color, the 2020 Barolo Prapo displays a riper and sunnier profile, with rich aromas of black cherries, lavender oil, balsamic, and tarry earth. Medium to full-bodied, it's weightless on the palate, with a savory note of tea leaf upfront as well as hints of cherry pit and walnut, and it has a long finish. It's a bit more broad-shouldered but wears it with a graceful touch. Drink 2026-2046."

Score

93

"This is a retaste. Owning to a hot growing season, the Paolo Scavino 2020 Barolo Prapò is bit softer and sweeter in terms of mouthfeel. This wine is textured and generous with dark cherry, sweet potting soil and barbecue smoke. It ends with a candied tone of lavender pastille."

Score

93

"Linear in profile, this red starts out on the elegant side, boasting currant, cherry, iron, earth and wild thyme flavors. The dense, dusty tannins flex their muscles on the finish. Feels a little compact now, yet there's plenty of fruit, and this should open nicely. Best from 2028 through 2045. —B.S."

Score

90

"Camphor, dark exotic spice and iris aromas come to the forefront on the 2020 Prapò. Juicy and enveloping, the palate has a great concentration of fruit and spice, including black cherry, ground nutmeg, licorice and a hint of espresso alongside tightly woven, close-grained tannins. Drink 2028–2035. Abv: 14.5%"

Score

16

"Serralunga d'Alba. Lustrous mid ruby. Leafy cherry nose that is still not entirely open and with a hint of garden herbs. Reduced? Succulent, mouth-filling red fruit with quite stubborn, slightly drying tannins. Long but the slightly drying tannins dominate the finish. (WS)"

Score

95+

Score

94

Score

94

Score

96

Score

96

Score

94

Score

94

Score

96

"Cellar Selection"

Score

95+

Score

95

Score

94

Score

92