Barolo “Vite Talin” DOCG 2020 · in gift box

Az. Agr. Sandrone Luciano | Piedmont
Az. Agr. Sandrone Luciano | Via Pugnane 4 | IT 12060 Barolo

05173920 · 0,75 l · 558,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping6 units available
Limitation of 1 articles per customer

In 1987, a single old, gnarled Nebbiolo vineyard opposite Barolo Castle yielded its first grapes to Luciano Sandrone. The plot had been leased to him by Natale, an elderly farmer known as Talin. Among the rows, Luciano noticed a vine that stood out from the rest: compact in growth, with weaker vigour, thick, serrated leaves, and grapes much smaller than usual, deep dark and bluish like plums. He marked it so he could keep an eye on it. Since 1991, the wines from this vine had shown the same characteristics year after year, with above-average structure; Professor Schneider's research team provided DNA analyses. By 2017, reliable results were available: a Nebbiolo of the highest quality. This confirmed what Luciano had always believed. The name links the vine to the farmer's nickname; the first vintage, from 2013, was released in 2019.

The 2020 vintage comes from Le Coste, Drucà and Rivassi in the municipality of Barolo and was harvested on 12 October. The clone typically produces rather harsh tannins, to which the winery responds with warm maceration prior to fermentation in an oxygen-free environment; fermentation takes place in 50-hectolitre upright wooden barrels. The wine matures for two years in tonneaux, more than half of which are new, as its tannin structure requires, followed by a further year in large oval casks. After three years in wood, it spends three years in the bottle before being released.

Dark, deep, with a layered structure. Rich, dark fruit comes to the fore, underpinned by notes of undergrowth. The extra year in the large cask imparts just a hint of oak and gives the wine its shape. The finish is long and ripe; the tannins seem sweet, with mineral notes running through. It is a young wine at the time of release: its drinking window opens in 2030 and extends to 2055; anyone who opens it earlier will only be reading the foreword. SUPERIORE.DE

"A deep, dark garnet red. Exciting on the nose, with aromas of ripe cherries, ripe cranberries, subtle oak, forest floor, along with cinnamon stick and a hint of truffle. On the palate, it displays plenty of tannins that still need to integrate, good acidity, a subtle saltiness and dark, spicy fruit; it is still a little rough at present and needs more time." Falstaff

"A rich bouquet of plums, black cherries, chocolate, leather and tobacco; full-bodied on the palate, with tannins that coat the mouth, fresh acidity, and a long, polished finish. Impresses with its elegant, well-balanced style." Vinum

"The 2020 vintage captivates with notes of dark fruit, plums, blackberry jam, spices and toasted hazelnuts, characterised by remarkable concentration and depth. The tannins are particularly pronounced in this vintage, so the wine still needs a little time to develop and come into harmony." Wine Advocate

"Even when first poured, it appears dark and imposing: black cherries with cinnamon, aniseed and a hint of earth lend the nose a mysterious and multi-layered richness that demands one's full and undivided attention. Opulent and full-bodied with firm tannins that are initially restrained before unmistakably revealing their considerable power – this is a powerful and serious wine of exceptional depth and presence, which clearly demonstrates why Nebbiolo ranks amongst the world's greatest grape varieties." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2020 Barolo Vite Talin is fabulous. It's the most refined Vite Talin so far. Layered and expressive, the 2020 possesses remarkable depth from start to finish. Even so, the 2020 is quite reticent, something I believe will be a positive for its long-term prospects. Dark cherry fruit, new leather, cinnamon, rose petal and cedar slowly emerge from the glass. Readers who can find it are in for a tremendous treat. The huge mid-palate, richness and overall intensity are viscerally thrilling." Vinous