Barolo 'Villero'

Score

95

Score

97

Score

93

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

"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."

Score

17+

"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) "

Score

95

"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."

Score

95

"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"

Score

92+

"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."

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."