Burzi, Alberto
From an onsite visit march 2017
Alberto Burzi is a new producer in la Morra, starting in 2012 with a single Barbera, he has since expanded his portfolio to include three Nebbiolo based wines. Like many of the newest generation, as has always been the case, Alberto has set off on a path that splits off from the predictable. His wines are light, delicate, reminding me of Burgundy from Pacalet, though they do not share carbonic maceration as the fermentation of choice. The wines all share a freshness and juiciness that is attractive, but the weightlessness of the Barolo, I wrote that they gave the impression of being holograms, as both compelling and particularly striking. I do not know how these wines will age, but perhaps we should be thinking of them not in the traditional approach to Barolo of what they might offer in the future but instead accept and appreciate them for all they offer today. I look forward to following up with Alberto of the coming years and to discovering just what he has captured in his wines.
2014 Alberto Burzi Barbera
Aged in inox
A bit smokey on the nose, with pure and vibrant aromas of dark earth, plum, and Iris. In the mouth this is tense mineral driven, and lean from the vintage, with transparent and pure black plum skin flavors presented in a rather elegant package. A bright wine but not nervous and finishing with wet river stone character, this is moderately complex and well balanced. A rather detailed wine from the vintage. 87pts
2015 Alberto Burzi Nebbiolo Roncaja
Fermentation and malo in 500L tonneaux, followed by six months of ageing in tonneaux with regular lees stirring. The effort is to make a pure expression of nebbiolo and not a mini or baby Barolo
Super delicate color. The fruit driven nose hints at arugula and watermelon, so fresh, pretty and floral. Bright and juicy in the mouth, this is delicious filling with palate with cherry fruit and flashes of juicy sweet watermelon. The intense perfumes of the nose fill the mouth as well. A pure, unfettered nebbiolo at its best, super delicious, light and delicate with tannins that are just an echo of what one might find in barolo. Mouth watering! 90pts
2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo
From vineyards in Roncaglia, Rive, Rocchettevino and two parcels in Capalot. Aged for two years, a little less than two years in slavonian oak, a little time in inox after wood and before glass to ease the transition 5k bottles
Floral delicate and perfumed on the nose with more than a nuance of wood but nothing disturbing. There is no fat here; this is lean sleek and focused. Taut on the palate with red berry fruit framed with nuanced floral and ivy aromas all topped with a hint of sandalwood. Tannins are fine grained. This is vibrant, delicate and refined, while very drinkable I don’t see this making old bones. Time will tell but it’s delicious now so perhaps there is no point in waiting. 89pts
2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo Barolo Capelot Vecchie Viti
This undergoes a 30 day cappelllo somerso fermentation and is bottled earlier than the base Barolo.
Delicate color. Sweetly fruited on the nose with gorgeous cherry fruit topped with spicy floral accent notes and a hint of chinato spice Here too one finds a sheen of wood but nothing objectionable. This is a broader, richer wine with more weight and power on the palate. Bright and vibrant on the palate with a fine mineral undertone helping to knit everything together. There’s nice lift on the back end with a rush of bitter cherry fruit supported by ample yet supple tannins. This finishes with real elegance and purity, vibrancy as well, and the fruit drives it all. 92pts
These barolo are like holograms,
Barolo Tala era.
Flower infused Barolo
Intense nose, spicy and minty with hints of cinnamon, pollen, and old wood. Not too sweet, on the palate, in fact the finish is dry and acid driven. Intensely perfumed in the mouth, perhaps a little simple but the tannins and acid real freshen the palate here, maybe 16%. Really lovely stuff and unique. NR
Alberto Burzi is a new producer in la Morra, starting in 2012 with a single Barbera, he has since expanded his portfolio to include three Nebbiolo based wines. Like many of the newest generation, as has always been the case, Alberto has set off on a path that splits off from the predictable. His wines are light, delicate, reminding me of Burgundy from Pacalet, though they do not share carbonic maceration as the fermentation of choice. The wines all share a freshness and juiciness that is attractive, but the weightlessness of the Barolo, I wrote that they gave the impression of being holograms, as both compelling and particularly striking. I do not know how these wines will age, but perhaps we should be thinking of them not in the traditional approach to Barolo of what they might offer in the future but instead accept and appreciate them for all they offer today. I look forward to following up with Alberto of the coming years and to discovering just what he has captured in his wines.
2014 Alberto Burzi Barbera
Aged in inox
A bit smokey on the nose, with pure and vibrant aromas of dark earth, plum, and Iris. In the mouth this is tense mineral driven, and lean from the vintage, with transparent and pure black plum skin flavors presented in a rather elegant package. A bright wine but not nervous and finishing with wet river stone character, this is moderately complex and well balanced. A rather detailed wine from the vintage. 87pts
2015 Alberto Burzi Nebbiolo Roncaja
Fermentation and malo in 500L tonneaux, followed by six months of ageing in tonneaux with regular lees stirring. The effort is to make a pure expression of nebbiolo and not a mini or baby Barolo
Super delicate color. The fruit driven nose hints at arugula and watermelon, so fresh, pretty and floral. Bright and juicy in the mouth, this is delicious filling with palate with cherry fruit and flashes of juicy sweet watermelon. The intense perfumes of the nose fill the mouth as well. A pure, unfettered nebbiolo at its best, super delicious, light and delicate with tannins that are just an echo of what one might find in barolo. Mouth watering! 90pts
2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo
From vineyards in Roncaglia, Rive, Rocchettevino and two parcels in Capalot. Aged for two years, a little less than two years in slavonian oak, a little time in inox after wood and before glass to ease the transition 5k bottles
Floral delicate and perfumed on the nose with more than a nuance of wood but nothing disturbing. There is no fat here; this is lean sleek and focused. Taut on the palate with red berry fruit framed with nuanced floral and ivy aromas all topped with a hint of sandalwood. Tannins are fine grained. This is vibrant, delicate and refined, while very drinkable I don’t see this making old bones. Time will tell but it’s delicious now so perhaps there is no point in waiting. 89pts
2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo Barolo Capelot Vecchie Viti
This undergoes a 30 day cappelllo somerso fermentation and is bottled earlier than the base Barolo.
Delicate color. Sweetly fruited on the nose with gorgeous cherry fruit topped with spicy floral accent notes and a hint of chinato spice Here too one finds a sheen of wood but nothing objectionable. This is a broader, richer wine with more weight and power on the palate. Bright and vibrant on the palate with a fine mineral undertone helping to knit everything together. There’s nice lift on the back end with a rush of bitter cherry fruit supported by ample yet supple tannins. This finishes with real elegance and purity, vibrancy as well, and the fruit drives it all. 92pts
These barolo are like holograms,
Barolo Tala era.
Flower infused Barolo
Intense nose, spicy and minty with hints of cinnamon, pollen, and old wood. Not too sweet, on the palate, in fact the finish is dry and acid driven. Intensely perfumed in the mouth, perhaps a little simple but the tannins and acid real freshen the palate here, maybe 16%. Really lovely stuff and unique. NR