Burzi, Alberto
April 2023 visit
Alberto Burzi
2022 Burzi Red Wine 13%
Dolcetto 50% carbonic whole bunch, 50% crushed fruit
Raisin, dried cherry, lots of violet, crushed raspberry fruit, pretty explosive, very high toned. Has an impressive amount of fruit skin tannin, tons of Dolcetto character, classic, a lovely feel, just a joyous wine, floral, fruity of course but not vulgar. 89pts
2021 Burzi Barbera d’Alba
Decided to change the pruning to albarello, from guyot, first vineyard with high density, 8000 plants per hectare
7 day maceration, 15 degrees first 2-3 degrees, then up to 25, only concrete
Slow to open, smoky, a bit of grilled meat, deep, very fine, slight ivy, very pure and precise cut plum fruits, almost blackberry. Very clear on the palate, acid is a bit integrated, almost supple, with air the perfumes emerge nicely, rather pronounced floral and perfumed, the palate shows great cut and length, is built on more on soil than fruit, long, with a return of black cherry fruit on the finish. Rather restrained and elegant. It’s a really distinctive wine. Refined, elegant and nuanced Barbera with sneaky length and a minty top note. 91pts
2021 Burzi Langhe Nebbiolo Runcaja
6-7 days maceration in a steel, 6 months in wood, concrete
A part of young vines Roncaglie, Rocchettevino, plus with 2022 the new vineyard planted behind the house
A very classic nose, minty, white soil, white flowers, smells salty, supple, rounded easy to drink, good depth, lovely tannins present but sweet, long, gently fruit, a hint of woodlands spice to the cherry fruit, starts out tart and moves towards a riper finale. Shows a little power behind it, the power of the vintage, good freshness but also good maturity. Smells complex and sophisticated for Langhe Nebbiolo, long. 91pts
2018 Burzi Barolo
Lovely nose, already showing a bit of tertiary character, spiced cherry, inviting nose, tobacco, gentle wild spice. Open knit, a touch of nuttiness early on the palate, lacks depth but is lovely in an easy, early drinking way. Tannins are dusty and drive the finish, already mature if still tannic with lots of complexity, slightly noticeable alcohol, and a bright character, cherries in alcohol on the palate. Spicy sour cherry fruit and stone on the nose. 88pts
2019 Burzi Barolo
35 days on the skin, submerged, 60hl not toasted
Cherry, black cherry, pure and precise fruit, a bit of moist earth, tar and roses and licorice. Just a textbook Barolo nose. Supple, rich, with excellent tannin ripeness and acidity, bright faceted, just gorgeous combination of energy, stone, very faint herb and lovely citrus laced raspberry fruit. Has a suppleness to it, a roundness with wild herbs and flowers inner mouth perfumes with some air. Has finesse written all over it, with impressive length. 93pts
2019 Burzi Barolo La Serra
Bottled in march last year, planted 2014, first vintage
40 days maceration, in concrete tanks with a curve, a18 months in oak,
20hl sized barrel for the vineyard size so smaller barrel less time
Lightly aromatic, less fruit, wild blueberry, thyme, coffee, wild cherry, light on the palate, willowy, lean but elegant, there’s a delicacy here, and a leanness to the tannins, a bit of tea base notes, very la Serra, higher altitude cooler climate wine, has some tart red fruit and strawberry, lots of rose petal emerging now, just delicate and nuanced. Tannins are not packed but firm and dry. 91pts
2019 Burzi Capalot Vecchie Viti
Peony, darker fruit, dried herbs, dried strawberry, bricky clay, almost a little peppery herb, arugula like. Smells a touch candied, very complex, rich and nuanced. Sweet and bright just lovely cut and juiciness here, depth and elegance with such fabulous intensity and purity of fruit a little candied blackberry wrapped around a core of cherry fruit, ripe tannins are abundant, but firm if ripe, power without weight, so much acid but not out of balance, cherry lifesaver note on nose, man this closes down quickly. 94pts
By rolling the tops you use older leaves which produce less sugar, and respire at a slower rate, which reduces the water uptake and the potassium uptake which lowers the acidity.
Alberto Burzi
2022 Burzi Red Wine 13%
Dolcetto 50% carbonic whole bunch, 50% crushed fruit
Raisin, dried cherry, lots of violet, crushed raspberry fruit, pretty explosive, very high toned. Has an impressive amount of fruit skin tannin, tons of Dolcetto character, classic, a lovely feel, just a joyous wine, floral, fruity of course but not vulgar. 89pts
2021 Burzi Barbera d’Alba
Decided to change the pruning to albarello, from guyot, first vineyard with high density, 8000 plants per hectare
7 day maceration, 15 degrees first 2-3 degrees, then up to 25, only concrete
Slow to open, smoky, a bit of grilled meat, deep, very fine, slight ivy, very pure and precise cut plum fruits, almost blackberry. Very clear on the palate, acid is a bit integrated, almost supple, with air the perfumes emerge nicely, rather pronounced floral and perfumed, the palate shows great cut and length, is built on more on soil than fruit, long, with a return of black cherry fruit on the finish. Rather restrained and elegant. It’s a really distinctive wine. Refined, elegant and nuanced Barbera with sneaky length and a minty top note. 91pts
2021 Burzi Langhe Nebbiolo Runcaja
6-7 days maceration in a steel, 6 months in wood, concrete
A part of young vines Roncaglie, Rocchettevino, plus with 2022 the new vineyard planted behind the house
A very classic nose, minty, white soil, white flowers, smells salty, supple, rounded easy to drink, good depth, lovely tannins present but sweet, long, gently fruit, a hint of woodlands spice to the cherry fruit, starts out tart and moves towards a riper finale. Shows a little power behind it, the power of the vintage, good freshness but also good maturity. Smells complex and sophisticated for Langhe Nebbiolo, long. 91pts
2018 Burzi Barolo
Lovely nose, already showing a bit of tertiary character, spiced cherry, inviting nose, tobacco, gentle wild spice. Open knit, a touch of nuttiness early on the palate, lacks depth but is lovely in an easy, early drinking way. Tannins are dusty and drive the finish, already mature if still tannic with lots of complexity, slightly noticeable alcohol, and a bright character, cherries in alcohol on the palate. Spicy sour cherry fruit and stone on the nose. 88pts
2019 Burzi Barolo
35 days on the skin, submerged, 60hl not toasted
Cherry, black cherry, pure and precise fruit, a bit of moist earth, tar and roses and licorice. Just a textbook Barolo nose. Supple, rich, with excellent tannin ripeness and acidity, bright faceted, just gorgeous combination of energy, stone, very faint herb and lovely citrus laced raspberry fruit. Has a suppleness to it, a roundness with wild herbs and flowers inner mouth perfumes with some air. Has finesse written all over it, with impressive length. 93pts
2019 Burzi Barolo La Serra
Bottled in march last year, planted 2014, first vintage
40 days maceration, in concrete tanks with a curve, a18 months in oak,
20hl sized barrel for the vineyard size so smaller barrel less time
Lightly aromatic, less fruit, wild blueberry, thyme, coffee, wild cherry, light on the palate, willowy, lean but elegant, there’s a delicacy here, and a leanness to the tannins, a bit of tea base notes, very la Serra, higher altitude cooler climate wine, has some tart red fruit and strawberry, lots of rose petal emerging now, just delicate and nuanced. Tannins are not packed but firm and dry. 91pts
2019 Burzi Capalot Vecchie Viti
Peony, darker fruit, dried herbs, dried strawberry, bricky clay, almost a little peppery herb, arugula like. Smells a touch candied, very complex, rich and nuanced. Sweet and bright just lovely cut and juiciness here, depth and elegance with such fabulous intensity and purity of fruit a little candied blackberry wrapped around a core of cherry fruit, ripe tannins are abundant, but firm if ripe, power without weight, so much acid but not out of balance, cherry lifesaver note on nose, man this closes down quickly. 94pts
By rolling the tops you use older leaves which produce less sugar, and respire at a slower rate, which reduces the water uptake and the potassium uptake which lowers the acidity.
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