Barolo 'Villero'

Score

94

"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."

Score

94

"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."

Score

93

"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%"

Score

94

"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."

Score

95

"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."

Score

92

"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."