2018 Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Vignolo, Piedmont

The organic Cavallotto 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo delivers the focus and straight-shooting concentration that we can expect of Castiglione Falletto. The wine ages for an extended 60 months in large Slavonian oak casks, and fruit comes from a southwest-facing slope with 40-year-old vines. The wine's core of fruit remains on the dark side, but you also get pretty lift and verticality with tart berry aromas, shaved mineral, cola and mint (like when you walk through the vineyard rows in summer). The wine is amply structured and fleshed out and delivers texture. The Riserva Vignolo is my favorite of Cavallotto's wines this year. Production is just under 7,000 bottles.

97 points Monica Larner robertparker.com

Aromas of rose, woodland berry, underbrush and spice form the fragrant, expressive nose on the fantastic 2018 Vignolo Riserva. The smooth, delicious palate mirrors the nose, delivering fleshy raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle and baking spice before a minty finish. Tightly woven, polished tannins offer enveloping support while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. While this already almost approachable, it will age beautifully for years.

96 points Kerin O'Keefe 

Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a majestic expression of traditional Barolo from one of the region’s most historic and respected estates. Located in Castiglione Falletto, Cavallotto has been family-run since 1928 and was one of the very first producers to bottle Barolo from a single vineyard under their own label. The Vignolo vineyard, nestled just below the famed Bricco Boschis hill, is a prized cru with southwest-facing slopes that soak in the afternoon sun, allowing Nebbiolo to ripen slowly and evenly while maintaining its natural tension.

The Riserva Vignolo is only made in exceptional vintages and is aged far longer than the standard Barolo requirements. It spends over four years in large Slavonian oak casks followed by additional time in bottle before release. This long élevage is essential to tame the firm Castiglione tannins and bring out the remarkable layers of fruit, spice, and earth that lie beneath.

In the glass, this wine is all about depth and patience. Aromas of dried cherry, raspberry compote, rose petals, tar and licorice emerge slowly, joined by cedar, truffle and dried herbs. The palate is powerful but incredibly refined, with silken tannins that gradually soften into a savoury, mineral frame. There’s an almost architectural structure to the wine, with Nebbiolo’s hallmark acidity keeping everything lifted and focused. As it opens, the wine reveals ever more detail—leather, iron, black tea, forest floor and bitter orange peel.

This is a wine for serious Barolo lovers, offering incredible ageing potential. It can cellar easily for 20 years or more, slowly evolving into something hauntingly complex and deeply expressive of its origin. While it’s outstanding with rich Piedmontese fare like braised beef cheek, wild mushroom risotto or tajarin with truffle, it’s also a meditative wine that deserves time, space and the right company.

Cavallotto remains a staunch defender of traditional winemaking, and the Vignolo Riserva is one of the estate’s crown jewels. It reflects not just a vineyard, but a philosophy—of patience, integrity and respect for the land.