This is a response to a post a few days ago about affordable Barolo and some suggesting that the good stuff only starts at $100. I disagree though I do think that in today's market, under $45-ish might be a bit tricky unless you get a discount.
Not quite sure what this runs in the US but I just picked this up here in Sweden for just under $50.
This basic Barolo from Paolo Scavino is great value for proper representation of the style. Yes, it's but a baby still and will definitely benefit from chilling in a cellar for a few years but boy is this fun to drink already. And it doesn't feel like you'd rather sit with a quality Langhe Neb instead.
Red berries, tea, some soft warm spices and herbaceousness are all there and the Barolo signature rosepatel of course. It's juicy and lush on the palate and already approachable though with a good dollop of tannic structure.
I like them a little more integrated so excited to revisit in a few years.
This one I'll let sit for a prolonged aeration in the decanter until dinner of truffle pasta.
Great way to cap a tough week.
Cheers.
by Club96shhh
4 Comments
Beauty photo. Nice write up.
Nice equipment there! I love the Zalto glass and decanter.
I saw an interesting post on decanting young Barolo where someone said that Barolo winemakers have recommended to him not to decant young Barolo, that it actually tend to close up and tighten with air. I’ve definitely experienced this myself, where the tasting pour straight out of the bottle is more open and aromatic and the wine gets more closed off after an hour+ in the decanter. Did you notice this at all?
Every 2021 Barolo I’ve had so far has been a banger.
I’m skeptical of Scavino, as there is still barrique present. They say this sees “neutral French oak barrels” for ten months, presumably barrique, then larger barrels, presumably botti. My feeling on French oak in nebbiolo is such that I feel they would need to be very well used indeed not to impart some textural transformation on the wine. The ’21 is showing in the US at under $40, and the ’19 at $35. Your note suggests a very open wine for a ’21 and I would suspect that comes in no small part from the French oak.
As for quality Barolo under $100, it most definitely exists. Quite a lot of it really, IMO. Even under $45 though the bar continues to creep higher year-by-year. I was reading praise for the Mauro Molino today and it can be found for $35 (some modernist techniques at Molino still, including short macerations, but no barrique on the base Barolo). Vajra Albe for less than $35. With discounts of various types one can certainly find good Barolo under $45, though one will find more wines of good quality from Barbaresco in that price range.