Barolo Riserva 'Vignolo'

Score

17.5

"Mid-to-deep ruby. Seductive and deep nose with spicy notes mingling with saline hints and slowly emerging red fruit with a hint of crushed rosemary. Changes all the time and needs lots of air. Fresh, focused red fruit layered with clayey tannins. Still not fully open on the palate yet. Energetic, fresh and fluid, with tannic charge on the finish. Can be approached now but ideally should age for an additional two years in bottle. (WS)"

Score

96

"Aromas of rose, woodland berry, underbrush and spice form the fragrant, expressive nose on the fantastic 2018 Vignolo Riserva. The smooth, delicious palate mirrors the nose, delivering fleshy raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle and baking spice before a minty finish. Tightly woven, polished tannins offer enveloping support while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. While this already almost approachable, it will age beautifully for years. Drink 2026–2038. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O'Keefe August 2024"

Score

94

"The 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a young, tightly wound wine. Dark-toned fruit, leather, spice and menthol infuse the 2018 with notable density. Vignolo is typically marked by relatively soft, supple contours, but the 2018 is very much on the virile side for this bottling. Even so, it is pretty impressive, especially for the year. I would give this a few years in bottle, as the tannins are rather imposing in the early going."

Score

97

"The organic Cavallotto 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo delivers the focus and straight-shooting concentration that we can expect of Castiglione Falletto. The wine ages for an extended 60 months in large Slavonian oak casks, and fruit comes from a southwest-facing slope with 40-year-old vines. The wine's core of fruit remains on the dark side, but you also get pretty lift and verticality with tart berry aromas, shaved mineral, cola and mint (like when you walk through the vineyard rows in summer). The wine is amply structured and fleshed out and delivers texture. The Riserva Vignolo is my favorite of Cavallotto's wines this year. Production is just under 7,000 bottles."

Score

94

"Sleek and expressive, this red is all about finesse. Rose, cherry, strawberry, orange peel, iron and wild herb flavors are driven by the bracing acidity, while light tannins line the finish. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S."