Giacomo Fenocchio
Villero Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Poured into a Swan decanter immediately prior to service and enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2013 “Villero” pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous, powerful bouquet of dark and red fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, tar, roses, talcum powder, and dry stony earth. On the palate the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy a freaking delicious. This is showing really well but there is no end in sight. Drink now with patience but this should reward an even great bounty done the road and turn heads through 2045+.
Poured into a Swan decanter immediately prior to service and enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2013 “Villero” pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous, powerful bouquet of dark and red fruits: black cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, tar, roses, talcum powder, and dry stony earth. On the palate the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, grippy a freaking delicious. This is showing really well but there is no end in sight. Drink now with patience but this should reward an even great bounty done the road and turn heads through 2045+.
Apr 21st, 2024Tonight, this bottle of 2010 Fenocchio Barolo “Villero” gave a masterclass on the character and virtues of the Villero MGA. I have always felt that massive patience would be required for the 2010 vintage since the wines are so structured. However, the Villero fruit, as it so often does, showed through with aplomb. The most prized parcels are located in the upper portions of the vineyard and this is where Giacomo Fenocchio’s holdings reside.
Opened and simply allowed to breathe for about an hour before dinner. In the glass, the wine pours a luminous ruby color with a transparent core. No staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is expressive with notes of dark cherries, sandalwood, anise, fresh red roses and tar. On the palate, the wine is bone dry and the structure, in typical 2010 fashion, remains monumental…even at 12 years of age. In fact, the tannin seemed to build as the hours went by. That being said, the fruit was still abundant and full of class: cherries, forest strawberries, dry earth, spiced meat and minerals. Juicy and textured at the same time and the finish was hedonistic. While this is already drinking so well, this will have a long life. Drink now with patience and through 2040.
Tonight, this bottle of 2010 Fenocchio Barolo “Villero” gave a masterclass on the character and virtues of the Villero MGA. I have always felt that massive patience would be required for the 2010 vintage since the wines are so structured. However, the Villero fruit, as it so often does, showed through with aplomb. The most prized parcels are located in the upper portions of the vineyard and this is where Giacomo Fenocchio’s holdings reside.
Opened and simply allowed to breathe for about an hour before dinner. In the glass, the wine pours a luminous ruby color with a transparent core. No staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is expressive with notes of dark cherries, sandalwood, anise, fresh red roses and tar. On the palate, the wine is bone dry and the structure, in typical 2010 fashion, remains monumental…even at 12 years of age. In fact, the tannin seemed to build as the hours went by. That being said, the fruit was still abundant and full of class: cherries, forest strawberries, dry earth, spiced meat and minerals. Juicy and textured at the same time and the finish was hedonistic. While this is already drinking so well, this will have a long life. Drink now with patience and through 2040.
Ruby with a bouquet of fruit, spices, leather, and chocolate. On the palate flavors of cherry and ripe strawberry with notes of pepper, mint and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy sweet notes. Good now!
Ruby with a bouquet of fruit, spices, leather, and chocolate. On the palate flavors of cherry and ripe strawberry with notes of pepper, mint and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy sweet notes. Good now!
Oct 2nd, 2022
Fenocchio's Barolo Villero is quite sensual and inviting in 2015, which is probably a reflection of the year, as wines from this Castiglione Falletto site tend to be quite reticent, especially when young. Spice, menthol, licorice, dried flowers and pine grow with time in the glass. The Villero is another impressive, showy wine in this lineup. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2019)
Fenocchio's Barolo Villero is quite sensual and inviting in 2015, which is probably a reflection of the year, as wines from this Castiglione Falletto site tend to be quite reticent, especially when young. Spice, menthol, licorice, dried flowers and pine grow with time in the glass. The Villero is another impressive, showy wine in this lineup. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2019)
Nov 22nd, 2019
Softened up a touch after being open a day and a half - pleasant tannins not too harsh- the nose not super expressive still quite closed but giving off some fig and liquorish
Softened up a touch after being open a day and a half - pleasant tannins not too harsh- the nose not super expressive still quite closed but giving off some fig and liquorish
Aug 25th, 2016
excellent wine for such a ripe year
excellent wine for such a ripe year
Apr 23rd, 2016
After last night's killer 2011, I just had to pull the cork on the 2008, and I am glad I did. In typical '08 fashion this has a classic feel bound by vibrant acidity that keeps its structure from shutting down the palate. The nose showed, dark red fruits, cedar, maraschino cherry, crushed stone and mint. On the palate, I found gripping texture with coating minerality and acidic verve. Tart red fruits, dried flowers and minerals lingered long through the finish. This is not the beast I was expecting after tasting the '11, but it is drop dead gorgeous.
After last night's killer 2011, I just had to pull the cork on the 2008, and I am glad I did. In typical '08 fashion this has a classic feel bound by vibrant acidity that keeps its structure from shutting down the palate. The nose showed, dark red fruits, cedar, maraschino cherry, crushed stone and mint. On the palate, I found gripping texture with coating minerality and acidic verve. Tart red fruits, dried flowers and minerals lingered long through the finish. This is not the beast I was expecting after tasting the '11, but it is drop dead gorgeous.
Oct 14th, 2015
Looking for great examples of older school Barolo in 2011. This is a must. Great deal. Excellent wine. #morrellstafeducation
Looking for great examples of older school Barolo in 2011. This is a must. Great deal. Excellent wine. #morrellstafeducation
Oct 12th, 2015The nose was deeply perfumed with spicy, dark fruit, rose, soil tones, and hints of pine. On the palate, it displayed angular textures with dark, sappy red fruits (which seemed sometimes bitter and sometimes sweet), exotic spice and minerals. The finish was long, as tart black cherry and fine tannin wrapped the senses tight, as hints of orange peel and spice lingered long. Fenocchio knocked it out of the park with the 2011 Villero.
The nose was deeply perfumed with spicy, dark fruit, rose, soil tones, and hints of pine. On the palate, it displayed angular textures with dark, sappy red fruits (which seemed sometimes bitter and sometimes sweet), exotic spice and minerals. The finish was long, as tart black cherry and fine tannin wrapped the senses tight, as hints of orange peel and spice lingered long. Fenocchio knocked it out of the park with the 2011 Villero.
Oct 1st, 2015