Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Gianfranco Alessandria – Barolo 2020
Piedmont – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Nebbiolo, this Barolo captures the essence of Piedmont’s most noble grape. The 2020 vintage is still youthful, showing its classic austerity and perfume while beginning the long climb toward its prime. (Educational note: Nebbiolo is famous for combining delicate floral aromatics with firm tannins and vibrant acidity, giving Barolo its legendary aging potential.)

Aromas & Flavors
Roses and violets open gracefully, followed by tart red cherry, cranberry, and dried strawberry. Nuances of anise, tar, and subtle spice emerge with air, promising further complexity as the wine matures.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied but firmly structured, with gripping tannins and racing acidity. The tart fruit and floral notes ride on a backbone of minerality, finishing long and tightly wound — signaling a wine built for age.

Food Pairings
Perfect with rich northern Italian cuisine: truffle risotto, braised beef (Brasato al Barolo), or wild mushroom tagliatelle. Also shines with aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A beautiful, youthful Barolo — tart, floral, and nervy, with cherry fruit and soaring acidity. Still climbing toward its peak, but already showing elegance and grace. A wine for patient cellaring, yet utterly captivating today. 🍷

Did You Know?
Barolo is often called “the king of wines and the wine of kings.” Its Nebbiolo grape name comes from nebbia (fog), referencing the autumn mists that blanket Piedmont’s vineyards during harvest.

Hidden Gem 💎
Gianfranco Alessandria is a boutique Barolo producer, crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines that fly under the radar compared to larger names — a true gem for collectors and explorers. — a month ago

Michael Centanni

9.2

Paired excellent with fungi pizza! — 7 months ago

with Clare

Mark McAndrews

9.2

Really nice, rich primitivo — 2 years ago

Bill Morgan

9.2

Full flavored with luxurious tannins — a month ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

A bodacious nose that is a mixture of red and black fruit. A little more weight on the palate than what I have encountered with Soldera. .Tons of fruit and energy take control. — 3 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.6

Very aromatic, very fine tannins, light in color. Amazing as usual. — 5 months ago

Jake Hajer

8.9

Not the same cuvée. To gianfranco. This is from Capri. Orangic pet nat. Tastes super hipster. Hazy, unclean. Rich fruit, but bitter-dry. — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

The ‘19 of this wine is quite good. Vibrant dark ruby color. The nose seems quite youthful, giving off scents of spiced, smoky minerality along with breast, yeasty notes. There also crisp mountain berry, cherry fruit. A big heck of fruit initially, but in a tight, zingy frame that has surprisingly crisp acids and a skein of tightly wound, very fine-grained tannins. The mouthfeel almost reminds me of a young Saint-Joseph from the Northern Rhone, though the flavors are different. Distinctive! — 3 months ago

Bruce Leboff

9.7

Brilliant. Elegant and well balanced. Superb. Outshone the Biondi Santi - albeit completely different character. Love the smooth caressing finish. Beautifully balanced — 4 months ago

with Michael and David

Ron Siegel

9.4

A surprise at a burg event — 8 months ago