- Nebbiolo from 1 hectare of 65-year-old vines in the cru of Villero in Castiglione Falletto
- 300 meters above sea level
- Iron-rich calcareous clay soils
- Spontaneous fermentation and skin maceration over 40 days
- Aged 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks (35-50hL) prior to bottling
- 500 cases produced annually
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2020
Country:
Italy
Region:
Piedmont
Appellation:
Barolo
Variety:
Nebbiolo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-FEN-22-20 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
Score
95
Date
2024-08-01
"This Barolo is a true classic, showcasing everything that makes the region's wines so captivating. The nose is a testament to tradition, with a bouquet that transports you to the heart of Barolo. On the palate, it's a structural marvel, with a backbone of chalk minerality that's as solid as the Langhe hills themselves. But what really sets this wine apart is the abundance of earthy notes that permeate every sniff and sip. It's like taking a walk through a damp forest, surrounded by the scents of soil and leaves. This is a wine that doesn't just demand your attention—it commands it. If you're lucky enough to experience this extraordinary wine, get ready for a sensory journey like no other. Drink 2026–2050. Cellar Selection. —J.P."
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2024-05-16
"Spiced cherries, dried raspberries, orange peel and spices on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and crunchy, with freshness and poise. A little chewy at the end with a bright finish. Drink after 2027."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
94
Date
2024-05-15
"Ripe red/ruby in color, the 2020 Barolo Villero offers nice purity and ripeness in its notes of preserved cherries, menthol, fennel, and roses. It gains in intensity without weight on the palate, revealing ripe concentration, plush, ripe tannins, and good freshness. With mouthwatering saline and tension, notes of dried apricot on the back palate, and a long finish, it's a lovely wine to drink 2025-2037."
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2024-01-04
"The 2020 Barolo Villero offers up scents of pipe tobacco, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice. This is a pretty elegant, translucent style for the Villero, but one that works quite well. Despite some youthful tannin, the 2020 is already pretty open. I don't see it as a long-term ager, but it is quite attractive today."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
93
Date
2024-03-01
"Forest floor, new leather, fragrant purple flower and spice aromas mingle together on the polished 2020 Villero from Giacomo Fenocchio. Full-bodied and smooth, the rather concentrated palate doles out liquor-soaked cherry, black raspberry, licorice and tobacco. Tightly knit, velvety tannins provide enveloping support. Drink 2028–2035. Abv: 14%"
Wine Spectator
Score
92
Date
2025-04-30
"Succulent and lively, boasting strawberry, raspberry, iron and eucalyptus flavors. The supple texture is offset by moderate tannins. Mouthwatering finish. Best from 2027 through 2040. 500 cases made, 170 cases imported."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2025-01-31
"Dark aromas of graphite, potpourri, smoke, bergamot and dried cherries. Firm tannins on the palate, with a full body, a dusty texture, refreshing acidity and a powerful finish. Extracted, meaty, concentrated and balanced for the long haul, with an amazing minty aftertaste. Try from 2027."
2021
Decanter
Score
96
Date
2025-03-24
"My top pick from this estate in 2021, the Villero bottling is crafted from 65-year-old vines. The southwest-facing plot is characterised by calcareous clay rich in iron, which typically gives solidly structured wines. The house's confidently extracted style accentuates this but is so well honed that the wine remains in brilliant balance. It is as expressive as it is textured: entrancing aromas convey smoke, cinnamon, sarsaparilla and a burst of violet. While tight and vertical to begin with, a mouthful of stoniness makes way for a richness of dark fruit through the mid-palate, all hemmed in by sophisticated, grainy tannins while sappy acidity lends a cleansing quality."
2021
Vinous
Score
96
Date
2025-01-07
"The 2021 Barolo Villero is laced with spice, new leather, herbs, menthol and licorice. It exudes depth, structure and classicism, with plenty of the balsamic inflections that are such signatures of Villero. I admire the wine's virile intensity and overall power. This is a superb showing."
2019
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
95
Date
2023-05-04
"Taking things up a notch, the 2019 Barolo Villero offers compelling aromas of wet stone, pencil shavings, kirsch, and Asian spices. Exceptional for its purity and balance, this medium-bodied red is fine-grained, and remains classic without displaying any harsh edges. All its components are working in concert and showing no signs of slowing down. Notes of cranberry cocktail, fresh blood orange, and dusty earth are long on the palate, with wonderful clarity and no one component dominating. This gorgeous wine will take time to show its best but will drink well over the next two decades."
2019
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2023-04-18
"Forest floor, leather, camphor, violet and dark culinary spice aromas come to the forefront on Giacomo Fenocchio,s 2019 Villero. Still youthfully austere, the firmly structured palate shows dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and hazelnut framed in tightly wound and tightly woven, close-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted and balanced. Give this time to fully develop. Drink 2029†2044. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O,Keefe March 2023 'kerinokeefe"
2019
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2023-07-28
"Notes of fresh red and dark berries with crushed violets, plum skins and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied with wide and velvety tannins and a vivid core of fruit in the middle. It,s bright and mouthwatering with a mineral, lightly chewy finish. Very balanced and focused. Try from 2027."
2019
Vinous
Score
92+
Date
2023-11-03
"The 2019 Barolo Villero is the most inward of the wines in this range. It offers good depth, but today the acids and tannins are simply overwhelming. Time in the glass releases hints of tobacco, cedar, dried herbs and earthiness. It will be interesting to see if the Villero softens in bottle. Today, it is a bruiser, but a promising bruiser."
2019
Jancis Robinson
Score
17+
Date
2023-01-13
"Mid ruby. Ripe cherry nose but fresh and with a hint of mace. Lively cherry-fruit palate with juicy acidity. Coating tannins reveal themselves especially on the finish. Supple, long, youthful and lively yet with plenty of substance. (WS) "
2018
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2022-02-08
2018
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2022-02-01
2018
WinesCritic.com
Score
94
Date
2022-02-09
2017
James Suckling
Score
97
Date
2021-06-03
2017
Decanter
Score
95
Date
2021-06-03
2017
Wine Enthusiast
Score
94
Date
2021-06-20
2017
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2021-04-29