Luciano Sandrone

Strong ruby red colour and fresh fruity fragrance. A clean, almost untouched wine, which is produced without the use of wood. The full, beautifully rounded taste with a slight bitter almond note in the finish is solely due to the special characteristics of the Dolcetto grape. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Dolcetto d'Alba is elegant, super-refined and all class. The 2018 shows all the richness that is typical of the Sandrone Dolcetto, but in a more slender style that is actually very appealing. There is plenty of varietal character in the dark fruit, spice and licorice flavors, but the 2018 is more about persistence than size. I loved it." Vinous

Sandrone's Barbera d'Alba smells of ripe red berries, dark cherries and a hint of coffee and chocolate. On the palate it has a full-bodied, soft texture, captivating finesse and pure harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid-deep ruby-purple. Cocoa and fresh black cherry, with subtle dried tobacco and spice. Bright, juicy acidity, black-cherry fruit intensity and quite firmly extracted, chalky tannins. Some warmth on the finish, but this is attractively fruity and well handled." Jancis Robinson

"Succulent and delicious with lots of dark-chocolate and blackberry aromas and flavors. Medium body. Soft texture." James Suckling

"The 2017 Barbera d'Alba is a child of a hot vintage, and there's no missing its correspondingly sweet and dark fruit flavors. This vintage actually makes for an especially vibrant expression of Barbera, with solid notes of prune and spice. The fruit comes from parcels between Monforte d'Alba and Novello, from higher elevations where there is more wind and coolness. There is a pretty sweetness here and a nice balance and freshness considering the heat. You might pair this one with a beef-and-beet borscht topped with sour cream and dill." Robert Parker

"Ripeness is pushed to the edge in the 2017 Barbera d'Alba, a wine that very much shows the flamboyance of the year. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, exotic flowers and sweet spice all race out of the glass in a hedonistic, full-throttle wine loaded with personality. There is zero subtlety here, but the wine is undoubtedly very pretty." Vinous

This Nebbiolo comes from one of the best sites in Roero and is vinified by Luciano Sandrone with the same care as a Barolo. Wonderful scent of light red fruit, mainly raspberry and cherry. On the palate it is earthy with a beautiful strawberry touch and incredibly elegant. The fine-grained tannin is wonderfully integrated and together with a subtle minerality gives this Nebbiolo a race and finesse that is second to none. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby garnet. Delicate, drawn, fragrant nose, notes of sour cherry and raspberry. In the beginning a lot of juicy cherry fruit, some pomegranate, then opens up with fine-meshed, dense tannin, hearty and long, salty final." Falstaff

"Attractive strawberry and orange-peel character. Medium body. Light tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

"Features rich, bright cherry fruit and dense tannins. Earth, eucalyptus and floral notes add depth to this balanced yet muscular version. Possesses the weight and structure of a Barolo. Decant." Wine Spectator

"Lovely notes of red rose and some herbal tones appear on the nose of the 2017 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore, coupled with balsam, spice and rosemary. It's voluminous in the mouth, and while the Le Vigne Barolo tends to be the most floral and delicately ethereal of Sandrone's release, this bouquet is distinctive in its own way. It would be a nice pair with a mushroom risotto." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is bright, fruity and absolutely delicious. The warm vintage seems to have given the Valmaggiore an extra kick of mid-palate sweetness, which is not a bad thing for a wine that can at times be a bit lean. Sweet red berry fruit and floral notes are nicely pushed forward. The 2017 will benefit from a few years in bottle, which will allow the aromatics to develop, but it is impeccable in its balance and super-classy, even in the early going." Vinous

Sandrones Barbera d'Alba smells of ripe red berries, dark cherries and a hint of coffee and chocolate. On the palate with a full-bodied soft texture, captivating refinement and pure harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid-deep ruby-purple. Cocoa and fresh black cherry, with subtle dried tobacco and spice. Bright, juicy acidity, black-cherry fruit intensity and quite firmly extracted, chalky tannins. Some warmth on the finish, but this is attractively fruity and well handled." Jancis Robinson

"Succulent and delicious with lots of dark-chocolate and blackberry aromas and flavors. Medium body. Soft texture." James Suckling

"The 2017 Barbera d'Alba is a child of a hot vintage, and there's no missing its correspondingly sweet and dark fruit flavors. This vintage actually makes for an especially vibrant expression of Barbera, with solid notes of prune and spice. The fruit comes from parcels between Monforte d'Alba and Novello, from higher elevations where there is more wind and coolness. There is a pretty sweetness here and a nice balance and freshness considering the heat. You might pair this one with a beef-and-beet borscht topped with sour cream and dill." Robert Parker

The grapes for Nebbiolo Valmaggiore come from the depths of the Roero, offering an elegant interplay between the strawberry and currant fragrance and a swelling tannin. Fine fruit and mint aromas in the aftertaste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliantly bright, mature color with a delicate brick red. Delicate, red-berry fruit on the nose, elegantly and finely arranged, with a pinot-like presence, good depth and seductive, sweet top note, floral and multi-layered. Wide open attack in the mouth with fine-grained ripe tannins and an inviting play of delicate acidity and gently sublime fruit. The profoundly resonant sweetness is paired with the still perceptibly gripping tannins to create a long, Chambolle-like Nebbiolo on the finish. Weinwisser

"Luciano Sandrone's 2014 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is a very pretty, nuanced wine. Bright floral notes and red-toned fruit give the 2014 striking freshness as well as nuance. The 2014 is a bit slender, as most wines are in this year, and yet it has terrific energy and tons of class. I would give it a few years in bottle. The Sandrone Valmaggiore has a brilliant track record of aging; I suspect that will be the case here as well." Vinous

This Nebbiolo comes from one of the best sites in Roero and is vinified by Luciano Sandrone with the same care as a Barolo. Wonderful scent of light red fruit, mainly raspberry and cherry. On the palate it is earthy with a beautiful strawberry touch and incredibly elegant. The fine-grained tannin is wonderfully integrated and together with a subtle minerality gives this Nebbiolo a race and finesse that is second to none. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, sparkling ruby garnet. Delicate, drawn, fragrant nose, notes of sour cherry and raspberry. In the beginning a lot of juicy cherry fruit, some pomegranate, then opens up with fine-meshed, dense tannin, hearty and long, salty final." Falstaff

"Attractive strawberry and orange-peel character. Medium body. Light tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

"Features rich, bright cherry fruit and dense tannins. Earth, eucalyptus and floral notes add depth to this balanced yet muscular version. Possesses the weight and structure of a Barolo. Decant." Wine Spectator

"Lovely notes of red rose and some herbal tones appear on the nose of the 2017 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore, coupled with balsam, spice and rosemary. It's voluminous in the mouth, and while the Le Vigne Barolo tends to be the most floral and delicately ethereal of Sandrone's release, this bouquet is distinctive in its own way. It would be a nice pair with a mushroom risotto." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is bright, fruity and absolutely delicious. The warm vintage seems to have given the Valmaggiore an extra kick of mid-palate sweetness, which is not a bad thing for a wine that can at times be a bit lean. Sweet red berry fruit and floral notes are nicely pushed forward. The 2017 will benefit from a few years in bottle, which will allow the aromatics to develop, but it is impeccable in its balance and super-classy, even in the early going." Vinous

Le Vigne is a splendid Barolo of Sandrone. The bouquet opens wide with aromas of fresh red fruits and a delicate spicy note. On the palate very intense, remarkably elegant, fine-grained tannins, extremely clear, structured and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby with a garnet edge. Clear and intense nose, after ripe cherries, fine blackberry, some orange compote. Velvety and round in the base and course, builds up in many layers, much fine-meshed tannin, very polished, long reverberation, a great pleasure! Falstaff

"Delicate, mature color, little orange rim. Delicate and delicate also in the fragrance, with seductive sweetness and fine wood nuances as well as graphite; deep herb spice with fine, ripe fruit. Very broad in the mouth, multi-layered and balanced, very melty in the base, with noble tannins. On the other hand, it is Burgundian and delicate, with a fine-grained tannin structure, long and red berry clear in the aftertaste." Weinwisser

"Purity of fruit and balance here is very impressive. Firm and very silky tannins with a long, long finish that gives the wine amazing depth and intensity. Love the spicy and dense fruit character at the end of the palate." James Suckling

"A hint of oak lends this a spicy component, along with cherry, licorice and tar flavors. Racy and bright, with fine intensity and a long, tightly wound finish that seems to go on forever. Shows beautiful purity and class." Wine Spectator

"The Luciano Sandrone 2012 Barolo le Vigne shows the trademark ripeness that I so often identify in this historic product. The bouquet is round and plush with thick layers of dark cherry marmalade, blackberry preserves and dark currant. Beyond those apparent fruit aromas, Le Vigne offers dark spice and licorice with a beautiful menthol signature on the finish. The wine's natural structure is padded by soft tannins and lush fruit consistency." Robert Parker

The bouquet opens wide with aromas of fresh red fruits and a delicate spicy note. On the palate very intense, remarkably elegant, fine-grained tannins, extremely clear, structured and long. Magnificent! SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, intense ruby garnet. Complex and dense nose, with truffle, some liquorice, then a lot of plum and blackberry. Juicy at the base, well worked out fruit, dense tannin, but dries a little in the back, can tolerate further storage." Falstaff

"Fragrant, exuding floral, cherry, raspberry and spice notes, with fruit and spice flavors to match. Elements of tar and underbrush sneak in as the muscular structure asserts itself on the long finish. Elegant overall." Wine Specator

"Luciano Sandrone and his daughter Barbara tell me that the 2014 harvest needs explaining. Many are quick to dismiss it given the difficulties of the growing season that saw abundant rain, hail and bombe d'acqua, or "water bombs," which are a dangerous phenomenon with intense rainfall in a very small radius. But hard work does pay off. The Sandrone family employed 38 people for farming, when the average harvest requires only 22 pairs of vineyard hands. Great care was required to keep the leaves and the clusters healthy. The 2014 Barolo le Vigne is bright and fruit-forward. It is perhaps more accessible in the near term compared to past editions. It delivers dark fruit nuances over a mid-weight and compact mouthfeel." Robert Parker

"Red berry, dried rose petal, exotic spice, menthol and a whiff of underbrush take shape in the glass. On the youthfully tense but focused palate, taut refined tannins and vibrant acidity frame raspberry, strawberry, star anise and a hint of espresso. It's already delicious but this shows wonderful aging potential, so hold for even more complexity." Wine Enthusiast

"Beautiful aromas of licorice, tar and black cherries following through to a full body. A powerful palate with dense fruit. Chewy and intense. Needs two or three years to soften. A triumph for the vintage." James Suckling

"The 2014 Barolo Le Vigne once again shows the wisdom of blending fruit from different sites. If there is a vintage where blending has the potential to be the difference-maker, 2014 is it. So it is hardly surprising to find the 2014 Le Vigne in such great shape. The red cherry jam, mint, cedar and floral notes are all finely sketched. Medium in body and classy, the 2014 is beautifully textured and inviting from start to finish. All the elements are simply in the right place. Vineyard sources are Merli, Vignane, Villero and Baudana." Antonio Galloni

The bouquet opens wide with aromas of fresh red fruits and a delicate spicy note. On the palate very intense, remarkably elegant, fine-grained tannins, extremely clear, structured and long. Splendid! SUPERIORE.DE

"Tasted blind. Dark ruby with orange tinges. A little reductive, herbal and closed. Shy but concentrated on the palate, too. There is great balance between brooding perfumed fruit, tangy acidity and coating tannins indicating this has loads of potential, but is not ready yet." Jancis Robinson

"Distinctive aromas of freshly mowed hay, blood orange and cherry mark this supple, elegant and vibrant Barolo. Tightens up on the finish, but chalk that up to youthful exuberance. Stretches out nicely on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2015 Barolo Le Vigne is a wine of pure and extreme grace. Silky and nuanced on the palate, with tremendous character, the 2015 is all class. Rose petal, mint and sweet red berry fruit are laced together in this super-expressive Barolo. Medium in body, with radiant fruit and brisk tannins, the 2015 Le Vigne is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. Today, the 2015 is decidedly reticent. I have seen Le Vigne open up with time in bottle. I imagine that will be the case here as well, although the wine is quite closed down at this stage." Vinous

"Luciano Sandrone expected this would be a beautiful year for Nebbiolo, with fruit showing the qualities of an important wine all throughout the growing season and right up to harvest. And yes, the 2015 Barolo le Vigne did turn out to be a great vintage, with a full aromatic array of perfumed rose, lavender and violet. For all of its generosity and expressiveness, with just a beautiful bouquet that sings out a seductive mezzo-soprano aria, be forewarned that in the mouth this is followed by rigidity and nervousness. That explosive bouquet might mislead you into thinking this is a rather evolved wine, but you certainly feel its youth on the palate." Robert Parker

"Ripe black-skinned berry, pipe tobacco, ground clove and star anise lead the way on this full-bodied red. The smooth, tightly knit palate offers succulent black cherry, cranberry compote, coconut and espresso alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. A licorice note graces the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"A tight and focused Le Vigne with strawberry, orange-peel and floral aromas and hints of hazelnuts. Not giving it all now. Full-bodied, very intense and focused. Extremely long and polished, tannic finish." James Suckling

"This is our flagship wine, a Barolo recognized the world over, which we have always nourished and cared for with greatest respect. Nothing wants change. This is why I will dedicate this special wine to my grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. From now on, it will carry their names." Luciano Sandrone on his intention to rename his world-famous Barolo Cannubi Boschis "Aleste" in 2013.

This Barolo is in every respect a masterpiece of Luciano Sandrone. Not only historical product but also only Cru of the house from the famous area Cannubi in Barolo. Rich ruby, balsamic bouquet, ripe and sweet. On the palate with great smoothness, much fruit, denser tannins, very persistent finale with Burgundian elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a garnet shimmer. Fine and fragrant nose with notes of ripe, dark cherries and plums, in the background cloves and cinnamon. Fine-meshed, polished tannin on the palate, spreading very clear and straight, juicy, long aftertaste, with hints of cranberries." Falstaff

"Aleste used to be known as Cannubi Boschis, its vineyard of origin, but has been renamed in honour of Luciano Sandrone's grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. The nose is a model of refinement and purity, with ripe and intense red fruits. Although medium-bodied, it's threaded with fine tannins and good acidity. This spicy, lively and long tonneaux-aged wine is no blockbuster, but should age well." Decanter

"A firm and silky red with plum and berry character. Hints of spices and dark chocolate, too. Medium to full body. Powerful and structured. Needs three or four years to soften." James Suckling

"This is the second year Aleste is produced instead of Cannubi Boschis, however the grapes are exactly the same. The 2014 Barolo Aleste is named after Luciano Sandrone's grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. The 2014 is still wound up and will require extra time to find its footing. The Sandrone family lost 25% of their fruit production in this challenging harvest. The wine offers fragrant notes of wild cherry and cassis with smoke, crushed stone and candied orange peel. The tannins are firm and textured. It is the palate (more than the nose) that requires more time to soften." Robert Parker

"The 2014 Barolo Aleste is a wine of exquisite finesse and grace. Soft, understated and classy, it is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. Bright red cherry and red plum fruit give the wine its vibrant feel. In 2014, the Aleste is decidedly medium-bodied and restrained, especially compared to recent past vintages. Readers should keep in mind that Aleste is the new name for the Cannubi Boschis Barolo." Antonio Galloni

"The cherry and strawberry aromas are tinged by hay and tobacco notes. On the palate, the core of fruit is joined by a chorus of herb, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Aggressively tannic now, but well-proportioned and long." Wine Specator

"Dried rose, blue flower, aromatic herb, wild berry and a whiff of pipe tobacco are just some of the aromas you'll find on this stunning red. It's elegant and structured, delivering raspberry compote, crushed strawberry, cinnamon and star anise framed in bright acidity and firm fine-grained tannins. It has fantastic tension and energy, and promises to age well for years." Wine Enthusiast

"This is our flagship wine, a Barolo recognized the world over, which we have always nourished and cared for with greatest respect. Nothing will change. This is why I will dedicate this special wine to my grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. From now on, it will carry their names." Luciano Sandrone on his intention to rename his world-famous Barolo Cannubi Boschis "Aleste" with the 2013 vintage.

This Barolo is in every respect a masterpiece of Luciano Sandrone. Not only historical product but also the only cru of the house from the famous Cannubi area in Barolo. Rich ruby, balsamic bouquet, ripe and sweet. On the palate with great smoothness, lots of fruit, denser tannins, very persistent final with Burgundy elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lightening Ruby Garnet. Very finely drawn, stimulating nose with notes of strawberry and raspberry, spicy forest honey in the background. On the palate it builds up nicely, in the front area present fruit, then unfolds with full-bodied, rich tannin. Falstaff

"Tasted blind. Deep ruby. Concentrated and a little opulent with lots of ripe fruit on the nose. Lots of tangy fruit on the palate striking a near-perfect balance with the long, grainy tannins. Embryonic and arresting." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of dried flowers and sweet berries follow through to a full body, very firm and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish." James Suckling

"Rose and juniper aromas lead off, settling this red into pure flavors of floral, cherry, strawberry, sun-warmed hay, licorice and mineral. Linear and firm, yet classy and elegant, this tightens up on the finish." Wine Spectator

"There is more purple and black fruit in the 2015 Barolo Aleste compared to past vintages from Luciano Sandrone and also fewer of those floral accents that characterize the Cannubi Boschis where this fruit comes from. All the same, the bouquet comes off equally as intense and as generous as ever, if not more so. This wine also seems ready from an aromatic point of view, even if it needs some extra time to reverberate in the mouth. It is compact and firm, with good, meaty fruit, and it's refreshingly expansive in scope." Robert Parker

"Sandrone's 2015 Barolo Aleste is a total stunner. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, lavender and spice are all beautifully framed by ripe, silky tannins. Creamy, resonant and super-expressive, the 2015 Aleste hits all the right notes. Next to Le Vigne, Aleste is more typical of what readers might expect from a warm year. It is a gorgeous Barolo from the Sandrone family." Vinous

"Woodland berry, iris, menthol and star anise aromas slowly take shape on this elegantly structured, savory red. Enveloping and delicious, the focused palate delivers raspberry compote, dried black cherry, licorice and cinnamon alongside polished, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity lends tension and keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

Luciano has been holding back a small amount of his Nebbiolo Valmaggiore for several years now and has it matured further on the bottle in his cellar. The result is a result under the name "Sibi et Paucis", which impressively underpins the cult status of his "little Barolo". Ruby red and with a phenomenal fragrance - balsamic and earthy, but also fine-fruity. The disciplined taste with the wonderfully balanced, velvety tannins merges into a long aftertaste and is accompanied by fine fruit and mint aromas. Wonderful elegance with even more ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The tile and dried flowers highlight the dark fruit nicely. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a savory finish. Some walnut and tea undertones." James Suckling