Azienda Agricola Brovia
Villero Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2003 “Villero” pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange/watery rim. Medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears with significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of black and red fruit: black plum, Morello cherry, red roses, green herbs, leather, old wood and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, however there seems to be more dried herbs on the palate, including a fresh mint. The finish is long, lasting for minutes. A beautiful expression from a very solar vintage. Drink now and through 2040.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2003 “Villero” pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange/watery rim. Medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears with significant signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of black and red fruit: black plum, Morello cherry, red roses, green herbs, leather, old wood and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, however there seems to be more dried herbs on the palate, including a fresh mint. The finish is long, lasting for minutes. A beautiful expression from a very solar vintage. Drink now and through 2040.
Dec 27th, 2024This bottle was also part of the really fun ensemble of Barolos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Again, served blind after a lengthy slow-ox and we knew we were drinking Barolo but that’s it. No obvious signs of age. On the nose, bright red fruits, herbs, dead flowers and tar...but was all knees and elbows, even with all of the air it was given. Abundant structure. This had to be a classic case of yet to be realized potential.
The shroud was pulled and...I’ll be damned, a 2008 Brovia “Villero”. I’m sort of surprised how much of an infant this wine seemed to be. I have little doubt these will age gracefully for decades to come.
This bottle was also part of the really fun ensemble of Barolos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Again, served blind after a lengthy slow-ox and we knew we were drinking Barolo but that’s it. No obvious signs of age. On the nose, bright red fruits, herbs, dead flowers and tar...but was all knees and elbows, even with all of the air it was given. Abundant structure. This had to be a classic case of yet to be realized potential.
The shroud was pulled and...I’ll be damned, a 2008 Brovia “Villero”. I’m sort of surprised how much of an infant this wine seemed to be. I have little doubt these will age gracefully for decades to come.
Fascinating how different this is from the Rocche 13' (from the same producer). Goes to show that Piedmont is indeed a great distraction from Burgundy, which has been reflected in the increasing prices. Thankfully, Brovia's wines are still "under the radar." Affordable, in the scale of things.
Neighbouring vineyards. The Rocche - blue-fruit focused, leaner, less tannic on the palate (but you could smell it), elegant if not firmer. The Villero - red-fruited, more classic on the nose, brawny palate, with big spice tones and a blood-like minerality. No preference of one over the other at the moment. Rocche, the queen of Brovia's line-up, and Villero, the king! Their purity, nuance, and turbo-charged aromatics are seriously impressive, though it doesn't make it any easier to drink them at this early stage. Definitely cellar these crus. Minimum 20 years!
Fascinating how different this is from the Rocche 13' (from the same producer). Goes to show that Piedmont is indeed a great distraction from Burgundy, which has been reflected in the increasing prices. Thankfully, Brovia's wines are still "under the radar." Affordable, in the scale of things.
Neighbouring vineyards. The Rocche - blue-fruit focused, leaner, less tannic on the palate (but you could smell it), elegant if not firmer. The Villero - red-fruited, more classic on the nose, brawny palate, with big spice tones and a blood-like minerality. No preference of one over the other at the moment. Rocche, the queen of Brovia's line-up, and Villero, the king! Their purity, nuance, and turbo-charged aromatics are seriously impressive, though it doesn't make it any easier to drink them at this early stage. Definitely cellar these crus. Minimum 20 years!
Drinking very well for an off vintage. That's when great producers really shine.
Drinking very well for an off vintage. That's when great producers really shine.
1 person found it helpfulDec 12th, 2014
One of my favorite producers, favorite vineyards and a great vintage. Still a long way from its peak but the '06s are in for the long haul just like the '96s #brovia
One of my favorite producers, favorite vineyards and a great vintage. Still a long way from its peak but the '06s are in for the long haul just like the '96s #brovia
Oct 19th, 2016Dust, flowers, forest floor, leather, cherry, cranberry, dried roses. Hot finish (14.5 alc.)
Dust, flowers, forest floor, leather, cherry, cranberry, dried roses. Hot finish (14.5 alc.)
Jul 18th, 2016
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
Where the Rocche cru is elegant and full of finesse, this is powerful and dense. More ripeness fruit, more grip, more power. Iron, blood like minerality.
Where the Rocche cru is elegant and full of finesse, this is powerful and dense. More ripeness fruit, more grip, more power. Iron, blood like minerality.
Mar 25th, 2016
Nice freshness but lacking complexity.
Nice freshness but lacking complexity.
Mar 23rd, 2016