Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Poderi Luigi Einaudi “Ludo” Barolo 2020
Barolo DOCG – Piedmont – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Crafted entirely from 100% Nebbiolo, this 2020 Barolo from Poderi Luigi Einaudi showcases a more graceful and approachable expression of the appellation while still preserving Barolo’s unmistakable structure and aromatic complexity. The “Ludo” bottling leans toward elegance and finesse rather than sheer power, allowing the purity of Nebbiolo to shine beautifully even in its youth.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of sweet cherry, dried rose petals, cola, blue flowers, rosemary, and delicate baking spices unfold gradually in the glass. Subtle earthy undertones and hints of tar begin to emerge with air, giving the wine additional Piedmontese character and depth.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied for Barolo standards, yet layered and refined. Young tannins remain present and structured, suggesting excellent aging potential, while the wine already delivers a silky texture and elegant persistence. Bright acidity keeps the palate energetic and lifted.

Food Pairings
Excellent with truffle pasta, braised short ribs, mushroom risotto, osso buco, roasted duck, or aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Verdict
A truly delightful and elegant Barolo that highlights finesse over force. The 2020 vintage is already highly enjoyable now with decanting, though the youthful tannic backbone clearly hints at greater complexity ahead with additional bottle age. A refined introduction to traditional Nebbiolo structure without overwhelming austerity.

Did You Know?
Nebbiolo is one of the latest-ripening grape varieties in Italy, often harvested deep into October. Its name is believed to derive from nebbia (“fog” in Italian), referencing the autumn fog that blankets Piedmont during harvest season.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the kind of Barolo that quietly wins people over, aromatic, transparent, and elegant rather than aggressively powerful. A beautiful reminder that Barolo does not always need to shout to be compelling.
— 8 days ago

David Blattner

9.1

Super Bowl party wine. With sweet chili. Very pleased. — 9 years ago

Paul Scott

9.9

Really nice and rich with lovely tones. Goes great with a pasta dish carrying some heat. — 10 years ago

Nick Dor

9.0

At la nebbia with my love :). Great Barbaresco from 2010 to go with amazeballz pizzas! — 11 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Livia Fontana – Fontanin – Nebbiolo 2021, Barolo DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Nebbiolo sourced from vineyards around Castiglione Falletto in the Barolo DOCG. A classic expression of Nebbiolo showing the grape’s aromatic intensity, bright acidity, and structural elegance typical of the Langhe hills.

Aromas & Flavors
Highly aromatic with lifted notes of rose petals and tart red fruits. Cherry, cranberry, and subtle earthy undertones emerge with aeration.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with vibrant acidity and firm yet refined tannins. Elegant structure with a smooth and persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Braised meats, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto, lamb, aged cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully aromatic Barolo that highlights Nebbiolo’s classic rose and red-fruit profile while remaining approachable and expressive.

Did You Know?
Nebbiolo is named after the Italian word nebbia (“fog”), referring to the autumn fog that blankets the Langhe hills during harvest season.

🍷 Personal Pick
Aromatic, elegant, and delicious, rose-driven Nebbiolo at its finest.
— 2 months ago

Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 7 years ago

Ted Corvey

9.3

The Nebbiolo grape's name is derived from the Italian word "nebbia" meaning "fog." Some say that the grapes were named after the dense rolling fog that frequently falls over the lush vineyards of the Piedmont. Others, however, believe the grape's name refers to the hazy state this powerful wine leaves its drinkers in the next day - a belief I currently subscribe to. Liberally sampled this wine from large format bottles at a dinner party. Big and powerful tannins on the nose fall away in the mouth to a well balanced but still firm wine with flavors of black cherry, fine leather, and tar, followed by a delightful finish. Drinking well now but will become even more delicate as time passes. #winekylecandrink — 10 years ago

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. — 8 months ago

Chelsea Heath

9.5

Excellent, earthy start developing into deep berries. — 7 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.6

Complicated, not too sweet. Perfect end to a great crab dinner and salted caramel pot de creme dessert! — 9 years ago

with Tim