Alessandria, Fratelli
I love visiting Fratelli Alessandria in the village of Verduno. I so rarely tour cellars of wineries I’ve already visited unless there is some significant development, but in the case of Fratelli Alessandria I am always ready to make an exception. First you step down into the old tasting area. I hesitate to call it a room as it’s really 2 tables on a landing, but it remains one of the most evocative tasting areas I’ve had the good fortune of visiting. You know that you are following on the footsteps of the ancients there, and that is even before you descend further into the barrel aging rooms, filled with their gorgeous botti. It is a historic cellar, one of the oldest in the region, and again it really feels that way.It is a special spot, hallowed ground. The tour now exits through a door that leads one up some ancient stairs to a more modern and spacious tasting room. It is a better room for tastings, more spacious with better light and ventilation, but it just can’t hold a candle to the old stairs landing!
For years the truth is that Fratelli Alessandria lived under the shadow of fellow Verduno winery G.B. Burlotto. It was sort of inevitable, two of the best known producers of Pelaverga and Monvigliero would always be compared. Most often Burlotto would come out on top of those comparisons but over the last decade Fratelli Alessandria has closed that gap and now produces wines that are equal to the best produced in the region.
The style of wine produced here tends to the vibrant, light and elegant style that exhibits delicate power. Classic for Verduno. The wines are traditional as they come, though the feel a bit polished, and certainly the tannins tend to be very finely managed.
Based on quality and value Fratelli Alessandria is a Top 10 Piedmontese producer for me. They have produced a wonderful line-up of 2020 Baroli, balanced, approachable, complete wines,
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Favorita
Indigenous yeast, aged in Stainless steel, to be bottled next week
Beautiful, baby powder, and dusty soil draped aromas of light russet pear, hint of apricot, dried herb, dried thyme, juicy!, Lovely acidity supporting grand fresh, clear fruit, good length, delicious white that is fruit driven with white and yellow fruit but such zesty acidity, and lovely dried carnation and dried oily, but not balsamic herbal notes offer contrast. Deeply perfumed, lots of fruit but not frooty, with more than enough savory notes for balance and fine emerging minerality providing saline succulence and verve on the finish. Mostly pear fruit. 93pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga
To be bottled in one month, one week ferment, indigenous yeats, aged in stainless steel and concrete
Spicy, spicy floral a bit of dark fruit is punctuated by pink peppercorn spice on the nose, a haze of green spice almost fennel seed lends complexity. Lovely wine, has a faint edge of rusticity still, light weight in the mouth, juicy bright red raspberry and currant fruit, lovely refreshing wash of playful if slightly dry tannins leave the mouth absolutely watering. Real persistence to the fruit a fine blend of perfumes, freshness, and zesty, gauzes fruit. Arguably could be a 100 point wine since it is pretty perfect Pelaverga, with a just a gentle white soil note gracing the finale. 95pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto d’Alba
To be bottled in one month
Textbook aromatics, dark plummy fruit, gentle spice, soil tones and a hint of bitter almond. This has a lovely texture, playful weight, well managed tannins, a bit of flesh on the bones but nothing sticky, can be drunk on its own, easy drinking, not simple but without adornment, the finish is pretty long and juicy, so much fruit with really notable freshness, finishes more in the cherry zone, carries a touch of weight on the finish, but still remains transparent the the finish. A great, classic example of Dolcetto. Delicious 93pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d’Alba
To be bottled in one month
Almost musky on the nose, dark, deep and rich with mineral and soil tones, a dark powerful nose. Suave, so rich and seamless in the mouth with juicy black cherry fruit, good acidity, a vein of green herbal freshness laces through this, finishes with energy, focus and freshness but is not at all aggressive. A jellied red apple note emerges on the long finish, really quite seamless, and turning bright and more red fruited with air, with a gentle sense of polish and absolute purity, really long, the fruit exhibits terrific persistence 94pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Verduno
Bottles a couple of months ago
Five vineyards from Verduno, first vintage in 17, first to produce Barolo di Commune
Starts with a touch of over-ripe fruit then quickly gathers focus revealing a strong herbal top note layered over fresh fruit and yellow, sandy soil notes. The cherry fruit turns darker gaining a tobacco framing note, Light to medium-light weight, fine tannins, playful texture, great example of 2020, so open, fruit is delicate, red and white cherry, rosehips, with a hint of orange toned acidity, fine length on the finish, powdery tannins, delicate power, classic Verduno. Tannins are approachable but still lends this a touch of firmness. 93pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo
Just opened. Tight, floral top note, a touch tarry, an oily seed accent, dark jammy blackberry fruit, good energy up front, fine minerality rather dusty on the palate. A tisane of fruit, with supple herbal accents, good energy on the finish where the tannins build nicely. Juicy, such vibrant lightness, a bit of rusty magnesium soil that drives the finish. Brisk, there’s this taut elegance here, the musculature of a ballerina. It’s not opaque but there is a tightness to the fiber here that gives the impression of some opacity. Just terrific with exemplary balance 94pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero
Deep, dark, olive tinged fruit, tight rosebud notes, confit strawberry tones. Bright, lighter and more based on lacy fruit up front, gorgeous detail across the midpalate with the light red raspberry/strawberry fruit well balanced by soil tones and wild flower, herbal tea framing notes. The tannins here are so fine and lending this a slender impression, but it retains vibrance and resonance through the moderately long finish with its layers of dusty soil, dried red berry fruit, and a wonderful gift of spice on the finale. The length just grows and grows with air. 93pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere
2 he
2 plots 20-22 years, the other is about 50 years old, very steep,
Soil is a bit sandy, usually harvested a week after Verduno
Dark fruit, wild berry fruit, herbal integrated through the nose, with a minty cast and a balsamic top note, more of a woodsy character with a musky base, Lighter on the palate than the nose suggests, fairly dances across the palate, such finely rendered red fruit, this is terrific this vintage, elegant with just a bit more power than the Verduno wines, deep cherry toned fruit a hint of burnished character, the tannins are a bit firmer, clipping the finish a touch when compared to the Verduno wines. Rose petal and talc emerge on the nose, deep and vinous, this feels old viney and exhibits such elegance. 94pts
For years the truth is that Fratelli Alessandria lived under the shadow of fellow Verduno winery G.B. Burlotto. It was sort of inevitable, two of the best known producers of Pelaverga and Monvigliero would always be compared. Most often Burlotto would come out on top of those comparisons but over the last decade Fratelli Alessandria has closed that gap and now produces wines that are equal to the best produced in the region.
The style of wine produced here tends to the vibrant, light and elegant style that exhibits delicate power. Classic for Verduno. The wines are traditional as they come, though the feel a bit polished, and certainly the tannins tend to be very finely managed.
Based on quality and value Fratelli Alessandria is a Top 10 Piedmontese producer for me. They have produced a wonderful line-up of 2020 Baroli, balanced, approachable, complete wines,
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Favorita
Indigenous yeast, aged in Stainless steel, to be bottled next week
Beautiful, baby powder, and dusty soil draped aromas of light russet pear, hint of apricot, dried herb, dried thyme, juicy!, Lovely acidity supporting grand fresh, clear fruit, good length, delicious white that is fruit driven with white and yellow fruit but such zesty acidity, and lovely dried carnation and dried oily, but not balsamic herbal notes offer contrast. Deeply perfumed, lots of fruit but not frooty, with more than enough savory notes for balance and fine emerging minerality providing saline succulence and verve on the finish. Mostly pear fruit. 93pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga
To be bottled in one month, one week ferment, indigenous yeats, aged in stainless steel and concrete
Spicy, spicy floral a bit of dark fruit is punctuated by pink peppercorn spice on the nose, a haze of green spice almost fennel seed lends complexity. Lovely wine, has a faint edge of rusticity still, light weight in the mouth, juicy bright red raspberry and currant fruit, lovely refreshing wash of playful if slightly dry tannins leave the mouth absolutely watering. Real persistence to the fruit a fine blend of perfumes, freshness, and zesty, gauzes fruit. Arguably could be a 100 point wine since it is pretty perfect Pelaverga, with a just a gentle white soil note gracing the finale. 95pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto d’Alba
To be bottled in one month
Textbook aromatics, dark plummy fruit, gentle spice, soil tones and a hint of bitter almond. This has a lovely texture, playful weight, well managed tannins, a bit of flesh on the bones but nothing sticky, can be drunk on its own, easy drinking, not simple but without adornment, the finish is pretty long and juicy, so much fruit with really notable freshness, finishes more in the cherry zone, carries a touch of weight on the finish, but still remains transparent the the finish. A great, classic example of Dolcetto. Delicious 93pts
2023 Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d’Alba
To be bottled in one month
Almost musky on the nose, dark, deep and rich with mineral and soil tones, a dark powerful nose. Suave, so rich and seamless in the mouth with juicy black cherry fruit, good acidity, a vein of green herbal freshness laces through this, finishes with energy, focus and freshness but is not at all aggressive. A jellied red apple note emerges on the long finish, really quite seamless, and turning bright and more red fruited with air, with a gentle sense of polish and absolute purity, really long, the fruit exhibits terrific persistence 94pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Verduno
Bottles a couple of months ago
Five vineyards from Verduno, first vintage in 17, first to produce Barolo di Commune
Starts with a touch of over-ripe fruit then quickly gathers focus revealing a strong herbal top note layered over fresh fruit and yellow, sandy soil notes. The cherry fruit turns darker gaining a tobacco framing note, Light to medium-light weight, fine tannins, playful texture, great example of 2020, so open, fruit is delicate, red and white cherry, rosehips, with a hint of orange toned acidity, fine length on the finish, powdery tannins, delicate power, classic Verduno. Tannins are approachable but still lends this a touch of firmness. 93pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo
Just opened. Tight, floral top note, a touch tarry, an oily seed accent, dark jammy blackberry fruit, good energy up front, fine minerality rather dusty on the palate. A tisane of fruit, with supple herbal accents, good energy on the finish where the tannins build nicely. Juicy, such vibrant lightness, a bit of rusty magnesium soil that drives the finish. Brisk, there’s this taut elegance here, the musculature of a ballerina. It’s not opaque but there is a tightness to the fiber here that gives the impression of some opacity. Just terrific with exemplary balance 94pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero
Deep, dark, olive tinged fruit, tight rosebud notes, confit strawberry tones. Bright, lighter and more based on lacy fruit up front, gorgeous detail across the midpalate with the light red raspberry/strawberry fruit well balanced by soil tones and wild flower, herbal tea framing notes. The tannins here are so fine and lending this a slender impression, but it retains vibrance and resonance through the moderately long finish with its layers of dusty soil, dried red berry fruit, and a wonderful gift of spice on the finale. The length just grows and grows with air. 93pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere
2 he
2 plots 20-22 years, the other is about 50 years old, very steep,
Soil is a bit sandy, usually harvested a week after Verduno
Dark fruit, wild berry fruit, herbal integrated through the nose, with a minty cast and a balsamic top note, more of a woodsy character with a musky base, Lighter on the palate than the nose suggests, fairly dances across the palate, such finely rendered red fruit, this is terrific this vintage, elegant with just a bit more power than the Verduno wines, deep cherry toned fruit a hint of burnished character, the tannins are a bit firmer, clipping the finish a touch when compared to the Verduno wines. Rose petal and talc emerge on the nose, deep and vinous, this feels old viney and exhibits such elegance. 94pts
April 2023 visit
Alessandria
2022 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Favorita
Was bottled yesterday
Sponti
Real complexity, a hint off eraser, a touch of reduction but generally quite complex in an amber fruit, dried yellow currant, and dried bay leaf way. Has some body and some richness to it but well very balanced by the acidity here. The several hours of skin contact lends this some tactile tenacity, which leads to a decidedly mineral, moderately long, finish with hints of peach skin and sweet tea on the finale. 91pts
2022 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Pelaverga
Barrel sample
Lovely fine floral notes, a touch of pepperiness, light, lovely wine, lighter bodied, juicy fine, easy to drink, lovely purity of fruit, lots of red fruitiness, a bit of spiciness on the finale. Superb balance. 91pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Bottled four months ago, 15 months in 500 l tonneau 6-7 years old
A bit subdued on the nose, shows some earthiness and a hint of carob, dark fruit, slightly leathery, Powerful, focused, with nice richness here, a wine that can stand some aging, already quite complex with a dark earthy core but also freshness, so clean and long with a plummy blackberry jammy note on the finale. 15% and yet so drinkable, so unfettered. 92pts
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Nebbiolo
6 months botte
Deep with a bit of spice, dark fruit, slow to emerge woodlands and menthol notes, very rose scented so well balanced, slightly chewy, carries some extra weight, long, fine tannins, lots of stuffing here, super vivid on the palate with freshly sliced sour cherry fruit and tart plum notes, still tightly would, juicy, and potential for significant improvement. 90pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Commune di Verduno
Heart of Riva Rocca, Rocco del Olmo, Boscatto, Pisapola, and Compasso.
Floral, chinato, fresh, lingonberry, spicy, wild red fruits, a hint of nut meat, nut oil, Juicy, light and bright, with silky tannins, lovely wine, so detailed, faceted, and complex, nuanced, there’s a very faint bitter mineral accent here that shifts the sour cherry to bitter cherry fruit, snap, crackle, pop, this is snappy fruit, crystal clear with a little extra weight emerging on the backend. The finish is all limestone like saltiness. 93pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Barolo Monvigliero
Barrel aged almost 3 years for all so that way they can bottle unfined unfiltered, all crus natural decantation
So much fruit, dark with hints of olive and caper, with rosemary and thyme oily herbs, black cherry and black berry fruit. Gorgeous wine, so well balanced, its a bit opaque around the edges due to the baby fat, but the depth and purity of fruit at its core is fabulous. Stone notes grace the midpalate, long, elegant and resonant, a love this. You taste deep vinous fruit, some herbal stem notes and then the soil. A hidden edge of sweetness to the fruit lends roundness tot he finish. 96pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Barolo Gramolere
More complex, more extract of herbs, more classical aromatic profile, braised fennel, black cherry in alcohol, with a sweet minty accent note, just a touch of carob, Fresh and powerful, bright fruit but this is very compact, tight, super ripe tannins, dusty, good length, really quite muscular feel, dark fruit, extracted tea flavors, so different Than the Verduno wines. Probably less tannic but the tannins are more imposing and harder. Really long. 93pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo
Tight but it has the transparent fruit note on the nose, So nuanced and subtle, black tea, black cherry skin, a hint of ginseng, totally vibrant, great fruit leaning towards the raspberry end of the spectrum. Tense and nervous, dusty, lightly salty, such incredible focus long, almost sweet tannins, so precise, lacy, it’s firm but transparent, this is all about graceful power, emerging tobacco and briar notes. Energy grace, salt, soil, 95pts
Alessandria
2022 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Favorita
Was bottled yesterday
Sponti
Real complexity, a hint off eraser, a touch of reduction but generally quite complex in an amber fruit, dried yellow currant, and dried bay leaf way. Has some body and some richness to it but well very balanced by the acidity here. The several hours of skin contact lends this some tactile tenacity, which leads to a decidedly mineral, moderately long, finish with hints of peach skin and sweet tea on the finale. 91pts
2022 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Pelaverga
Barrel sample
Lovely fine floral notes, a touch of pepperiness, light, lovely wine, lighter bodied, juicy fine, easy to drink, lovely purity of fruit, lots of red fruitiness, a bit of spiciness on the finale. Superb balance. 91pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Bottled four months ago, 15 months in 500 l tonneau 6-7 years old
A bit subdued on the nose, shows some earthiness and a hint of carob, dark fruit, slightly leathery, Powerful, focused, with nice richness here, a wine that can stand some aging, already quite complex with a dark earthy core but also freshness, so clean and long with a plummy blackberry jammy note on the finale. 15% and yet so drinkable, so unfettered. 92pts
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Nebbiolo
6 months botte
Deep with a bit of spice, dark fruit, slow to emerge woodlands and menthol notes, very rose scented so well balanced, slightly chewy, carries some extra weight, long, fine tannins, lots of stuffing here, super vivid on the palate with freshly sliced sour cherry fruit and tart plum notes, still tightly would, juicy, and potential for significant improvement. 90pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Commune di Verduno
Heart of Riva Rocca, Rocco del Olmo, Boscatto, Pisapola, and Compasso.
Floral, chinato, fresh, lingonberry, spicy, wild red fruits, a hint of nut meat, nut oil, Juicy, light and bright, with silky tannins, lovely wine, so detailed, faceted, and complex, nuanced, there’s a very faint bitter mineral accent here that shifts the sour cherry to bitter cherry fruit, snap, crackle, pop, this is snappy fruit, crystal clear with a little extra weight emerging on the backend. The finish is all limestone like saltiness. 93pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Barolo Monvigliero
Barrel aged almost 3 years for all so that way they can bottle unfined unfiltered, all crus natural decantation
So much fruit, dark with hints of olive and caper, with rosemary and thyme oily herbs, black cherry and black berry fruit. Gorgeous wine, so well balanced, its a bit opaque around the edges due to the baby fat, but the depth and purity of fruit at its core is fabulous. Stone notes grace the midpalate, long, elegant and resonant, a love this. You taste deep vinous fruit, some herbal stem notes and then the soil. A hidden edge of sweetness to the fruit lends roundness tot he finish. 96pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Barolo Gramolere
More complex, more extract of herbs, more classical aromatic profile, braised fennel, black cherry in alcohol, with a sweet minty accent note, just a touch of carob, Fresh and powerful, bright fruit but this is very compact, tight, super ripe tannins, dusty, good length, really quite muscular feel, dark fruit, extracted tea flavors, so different Than the Verduno wines. Probably less tannic but the tannins are more imposing and harder. Really long. 93pts
2019 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo
Tight but it has the transparent fruit note on the nose, So nuanced and subtle, black tea, black cherry skin, a hint of ginseng, totally vibrant, great fruit leaning towards the raspberry end of the spectrum. Tense and nervous, dusty, lightly salty, such incredible focus long, almost sweet tannins, so precise, lacy, it’s firm but transparent, this is all about graceful power, emerging tobacco and briar notes. Energy grace, salt, soil, 95pts
4/2022 visit
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga
Barrel sample
Super delicate color, peppery, pure raspberry, water melon,
To be bottled in a week
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto
A touch of animal fur,, a hint of peppery spice that recalls the Pelaverga, great fruit, rich, a little youthful chew, all plummy, astringent fruit, black cherry, clean, fresh, great cut, good length. With some air this becomes more aromatic classic Dolcetto with great cut and freshness and just an extra layer of fruit without being fleshy. 91pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Nebbiolo Prinsiot 14%
Bottled a couple of months a go, 6-8 months in botte
Smells like watermelon, with a hint of oak aging, so fresh and fruity, silky, so finely textured, great simplicity and transparency, dusty tannins fine grained, silky, elegant, definitely the best place for this light, elegant style of nebbiolo, Verduno excels at, just terrific for an easy drinking style. 91pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo di Verduno 14.5%
Almost 3 years of botte
A bit animal, definitely has a light Slavonian oak cast the the aromas, salumi, rosehips, chestnut, frutti del tosco, incipient mushroom/forest floor note, this is already singing, it’s complex with soft tannins, good fruit, a touch of forest floor, dried balsamic and incipient mushroom notes though it needs a bit more time to relax on the palate, long return of raspberry fruit, classic Barolo Classico, love this now and over the next 3-5 years, has tight knit tannins and good length, sandalwood tone on the finish,, short though with a hint of peppery spice on the finish. 90pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo 15%
Already has tea and tobacco accents, hint of toasted hickory nuts, hints of smoke, salumi, and chalky soil, generous, tense, good richness, lovely acidic lift, savory red fruit, sated plummy kind of umami thing going on. This is rich, powerful and intense with great freshness, it’s approachable today and really encapsulates the Verduno style, decent length, needs a few years, has already some finer inner mouth perfumes, not too much 2018 character, fruity with sour wild cherry on the finish gaining length with air, then it’s all chalky soil. Very good potential with sneaky length. 92pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero 15%
This is showing great freshness classic cherries in alcohol, tight, fresh rose petal, with air a faint twig, stemmy tree note comes out, opulent, sweet, fruit laden, then this turns more delicate, but very complex and layered, with good length. All a gauze of Verduno fruit over chalky soil, nose gaining some black cherry fruit, needs time, is firm yet ripe, there’s a hint of blood like salinity here that draws out the finish, really great freshness and a huge fruit for the vintage. 93pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere
So different on the nose, tobacco, dried herbs, river stones, lots of cigar, damp earth, cellar, raw root vegetables , round easy, there’s more 2018 character here, here the tannins are cruder, this has good length but less fruit and elegance, lemon tea, tea, damp tobacco, red currant and a deep savory streak. This is marked by the vintage. 86pts
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga
Barrel sample
Super delicate color, peppery, pure raspberry, water melon,
To be bottled in a week
2021 Fratelli Alessandria Dolcetto
A touch of animal fur,, a hint of peppery spice that recalls the Pelaverga, great fruit, rich, a little youthful chew, all plummy, astringent fruit, black cherry, clean, fresh, great cut, good length. With some air this becomes more aromatic classic Dolcetto with great cut and freshness and just an extra layer of fruit without being fleshy. 91pts
2020 Fratelli Alessandria Langhe Nebbiolo Prinsiot 14%
Bottled a couple of months a go, 6-8 months in botte
Smells like watermelon, with a hint of oak aging, so fresh and fruity, silky, so finely textured, great simplicity and transparency, dusty tannins fine grained, silky, elegant, definitely the best place for this light, elegant style of nebbiolo, Verduno excels at, just terrific for an easy drinking style. 91pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo di Verduno 14.5%
Almost 3 years of botte
A bit animal, definitely has a light Slavonian oak cast the the aromas, salumi, rosehips, chestnut, frutti del tosco, incipient mushroom/forest floor note, this is already singing, it’s complex with soft tannins, good fruit, a touch of forest floor, dried balsamic and incipient mushroom notes though it needs a bit more time to relax on the palate, long return of raspberry fruit, classic Barolo Classico, love this now and over the next 3-5 years, has tight knit tannins and good length, sandalwood tone on the finish,, short though with a hint of peppery spice on the finish. 90pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo 15%
Already has tea and tobacco accents, hint of toasted hickory nuts, hints of smoke, salumi, and chalky soil, generous, tense, good richness, lovely acidic lift, savory red fruit, sated plummy kind of umami thing going on. This is rich, powerful and intense with great freshness, it’s approachable today and really encapsulates the Verduno style, decent length, needs a few years, has already some finer inner mouth perfumes, not too much 2018 character, fruity with sour wild cherry on the finish gaining length with air, then it’s all chalky soil. Very good potential with sneaky length. 92pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero 15%
This is showing great freshness classic cherries in alcohol, tight, fresh rose petal, with air a faint twig, stemmy tree note comes out, opulent, sweet, fruit laden, then this turns more delicate, but very complex and layered, with good length. All a gauze of Verduno fruit over chalky soil, nose gaining some black cherry fruit, needs time, is firm yet ripe, there’s a hint of blood like salinity here that draws out the finish, really great freshness and a huge fruit for the vintage. 93pts
2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere
So different on the nose, tobacco, dried herbs, river stones, lots of cigar, damp earth, cellar, raw root vegetables , round easy, there’s more 2018 character here, here the tannins are cruder, this has good length but less fruit and elegance, lemon tea, tea, damp tobacco, red currant and a deep savory streak. This is marked by the vintage. 86pts