Roberto Voerzio

Juice and power is the headline for this incredibly dense and fleshy Dolcetto, which already announces what awaits the senses with its rich ruby-purple colour. Lots of dark, sweet cherry, plus tobacco, leather and incense pour out of the glass and then hit the palate in concentrated form, embedded in a wonderful, silky, lush texture. Lavender, violets and white pepper can be found in the long, incredibly juicy finish. Roberto Voerzio proves once again here how you can make a fantastic, great wine from the Dolcetto grape, even away from the great Barolo wines in his repertoire, by reducing yields and being uncompromising! SUPERIORE.DE

It was no coincidence, but opportunity, that Roberto Voerzio embarked on a new adventure in Monferrato a few years ago. As the latest addition to his exquisite collection, he put himself to the test as a passionate Barbera lover by acquiring some plots of land near Canelli and Nizza Monferrato. These are vineyards that are around 35 years old with clay and limestone soil, which gives the wine complexity and minerality. The old planting was then greatly reduced according to his modus operandi: to 3,500 to 8,000 vines per hectare with a production of less than 1 kg (!) per plant. Fermentation and maceration take place in steel tanks using indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation and ageing take place in barriques (70% used) for 12 months and then in steel tanks for a few months before bottling without filtration.

This Barbera oscillates between richness and elegance. Wonderfully concentrated cherry fruit, finely layered, along with blackberry and a little chocolate. Everything is in its place: acidity, fruit and finely knitted tannins. Warm, round and juicy on the palate, it retains its balance right into the long finish and is never too heavy or even too dense. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this Nebbiolo come exclusively from more recent Barolo vineyards and Roberto Voerzio (who would have thought otherwise) applies the same perfectionism to his work in the vineyard and cellar as he does to his great Barolo wines. And so here is a Nebbiolo in a class of its own, which conveys enormous pleasure and excitement with every sip. A bright and lively bouquet of wild berries, black cherry, liquorice and grilled herbs. The palate is then medium-bodied with a very supple texture and a mouthfeel like velvet and silk. Not quite as powerful and deep as a Barolo from the house, but with plenty of style and a finesse and elegance that is to the point. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for Roberto's "entry-level Barolo" come from four of his best vineyards, which are harvested a few weeks earlier than those reserved for his Grand Crus. It is also the most balanced of his Barolo wines, even if the fruit and acidity are anything but restrained, but the proportions are just right here. The structure is great, its length and elegance inspiring - the refined layered components such as raspberry, cherry and its subtle salty vein make it without doubt one of the most serious wines of the entire appellation - a real Voerzio for comparatively little money. SUPERIORE.DE

Roberto Voerzio is one of those winemaking personalities who have had a lasting influence on the modern understanding of Barolo. Since 1986, he has been vinifying wines of uncompromising clarity in La Morra – radical in the vineyard, traditional in the cellar. This Barolo combines Nebbiolo from four cru sites in the municipality of La Morra: Fossati, La Serra, Case Nere and Boiolo. Each parcel brings its own nuances, but together they create an ensemble of remarkable coherence. The vinification follows Voerzio's minimalist philosophy: spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks, followed by 24 months of ageing in used barriques and large 15-hectolitre barrels. The wine then rests in steel for a further eight months before being released after at least eight months of ageing in the bottle. The result is a Barolo with a bright garnet colour and aromas of red berries, dried roses and subtle spicy notes. The typical La Morra elegance is evident on the palate: silky tannins, fresh acidity, subtle power. A wine that captures the essence of this legendary parish – without fuss, without compromise. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for Roberto's "entry-level Barolo" come from four of his best vineyards, which are harvested a few weeks earlier than those reserved for his Grand Crus. It is also the most balanced of his Barolo wines, even if the fruit and acidity are anything but restrained, but the proportions are just right here. The structure is great, its length and elegance inspiring - the refined layered components such as raspberry, cherry and its subtle salty vein make it without doubt one of the most serious wines of the entire appellation - a real Voerzio for comparatively little money. SUPERIORE.DE

La Serra 2015 comes from a fairly warm year and here the advantage of the slightly higher and cooler location is clearly evident. As always, the flavours are bright and floral, with a good underpinning of chalky, mineral tones, with remarkable polish and class. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are supported by the characteristic firm tannins, lovely depth in the mid palate and overall a great volume that makes it seem complete and perfect. A great wine and one of the best Barolo of the 2015 vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Brunate is a stunning expression with great complexity and finesse. The wine shows a lively garnet red colour with a balanced and intense bouquet: sage, mint, undergrowth, tar, tobacco and liquorice nuances give Brunate a striking aromatic complexity. At the core of the bouquet, as well as on the palate, there is a lot of dark fruit, including blackcurrants and plums. Gains breadth with time in the glass and with further bottle maturity, the already fine tannins will surely become even smoother. A Barolo of real presence and stature and for us the most accessible Barolo in Voerzio's exceptional collection! SUPERIORE.DE

Undisputedly the most powerful and robust Barolo in Roberto Voerzio's top range is the Rocche dell'Annunziata from one of La Morra's best sites. For us, it is a benchmark in determination and forward-driven dynamism. Wonderfully coordinated fruit and spice components, a great wealth of impressions and precisely drawn beauty characterise this exceptional Barolo. Intensely fragrant nose of plums, pickled cherries and lots of raspberry, rounded off by cedar, spices and tobacco. In its depth, complexity and determination it does not come to rest, even 24 hours after opening the bottle the connoisseur is still surprised with fine notes of mint and balsam and this immensely expressive and charming wine shows no signs of ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Cerequio unfolds its cornucopia of cherries, ripe red berries, violets, leather and tar in the glass only after many minutes. Firm and punchy on the palate - shows an impressive and solid construction, yet the wine remains delicate, mineral and finesse-rich all the time. It is perhaps the most balanced of Roberto Voerzio's top tier of wines, and even though it seems quite approachable when young, it too will only reveal its true potential and class in many years. SUPERIORE.DE

Some layers are loud, others whisper. Cerequio is one of the whisperers – and if you don't listen carefully, you will miss the subtle nuances that make this cru one of the most enigmatic in the entire Barolo universe. Surrounded by its most prestigious neighbours La Morra, Cerequio lies at an altitude of 300 metres above a foundation of white clay and bluish marl. Roberto Voerzio likes to compare his Cerequio wines with Haut-Brion – an unusual comparison for a Barolo, but anyone who tastes this wine will understand the allusion: it is about that ethereal elegance that unfolds rather than imposes itself. What distinguishes Cerequio from the more powerful crus is its almost floating lightness. Voerzio speaks of "round, elegant, ethereal" – attributes that are rarely associated with Barolo. But this is precisely where the magic lies: Cerequio combines density with finesse, concentration with airiness. The 24-month maturation in French barriques and large barrels has given the wine depth without stifling its youthful grace.

Undeniably the most powerful and robust Barolo in Roberto Voerzio's top range is the Rocche dell'Annunziata from one of the best sites of La Morra. For us, it is a benchmark in determination and forward-driven dynamism. Wonderfully coordinated fruit and spice components, a great wealth of impressions and precisely drawn beauty characterise this exceptional Barolo. Intensely fragrant nose of plums, pickled cherries and lots of raspberry, rounded off by cedar, spices and tobacco. In its depth, complexity and determination it does not come to rest, even 24 hours after opening the bottle the connoisseur is still surprised with fine notes of mint and balsam and this immensely expressive and charming wine shows no signs of ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

Extremely focussed Barolo in a class of its own. Precisely defined fruit notes of wild berries, blackcurrant, rosehip and crushed slate. Firm on the palate with a very well-defined core, softly enveloped and cushioned by a very relaxed texture. Its elegance and extreme length, together with its well-balanced power, put it on a par with the Brunate from the same house. SUPERIORE.DE

Extremely focussed Barolo in a class of its own. Precisely defined fruit notes of wild berries, blackcurrant, rosehip and crushed slate. Firm on the palate with a very well-defined core, softly enveloped and cushioned by a very relaxed texture. Its elegance and extreme length, together with its well-balanced power, put it on a par with the Brunate from the same house. SUPERIORE.DE