2019 Luciano Sandrone Vite Talin Barolo, Piedmont

This is a fascinating expression that puts the emphasis on grape instead of terroir. The 2019 Barolo Vite Talin is made with a special clone of Nebbiolo identified by the Sandrone family and farmed for many years on an experimental basis before this wine came into being. Barolo vineyards le Coste, Drucà and Rivassi are featured. The wine ferments in oak and ages in tonneaux for two years, followed by more time in botti and bottle. The 2019 vintage will be remembered for its extra concentration and richness, and you definitely sense that here thanks to the wine's dark, extracted appearance and its intense aromas of dried blackberry, bacon, campfire, barbecue smoke and baked prune. It's less territory-driven for sure, but the wine is especially rich, concentrated and structured. The tannins are tightly coiled and aggressive. I also notice a hint of a leafy vegetable or celery root. This is a 2,500-bottle release.

95 points The Wine Advocate

A restrained Barolo that’s dark and spicy, with aromas of dried flowers, meat and dried cherries. The attack is dense, with a full body, thick dusty tannins and zesty, refreshing acidity. It has a huge structure and power that finds balance at the end. Try after 2027.

94 points James 

Born from a massal selection discovered in the historic Le Coste vineyard, Vite Talin represents one of Luciano Sandrone's most ambitious and fascinating projects. The unusually small berried Nebbiolo vine, affectionately named Talin after the local nickname of Luciano's father, was recognised for its extraordinary concentration and character. After years of careful study and propagation, Sandrone released this remarkable Barolo, produced only in tiny quantities and already regarded as one of Piedmont's modern icons.

Luciano Sandrone helped redefine Barolo through meticulous vineyard work and an unwavering respect for terroir, and today the estate continues under the guidance of Barbara, Luca and the Sandrone family. The outstanding 2019 vintage is widely considered one of the greatest of the past decade, combining exceptional concentration with freshness, purity and remarkable ageing potential. Crafted from this rare Nebbiolo biotype, Vite Talin delivers a unique expression of Barolo that is both immensely powerful and exquisitely refined.

Deep garnet with youthful ruby highlights, the bouquet is profoundly complex, revealing black cherry, wild raspberry and blood orange layered with rose petals, violets and sweet spice. As the wine unfolds, notes of truffle, liquorice, tobacco leaf and crushed rock emerge, creating extraordinary depth and intrigue. The palate is rich yet impeccably balanced, offering waves of red and dark fruits supported by beautifully sculpted tannins and vibrant acidity. Despite its concentration, there is remarkable elegance and precision, with a finish that lingers for minutes, echoing floral perfume, spice and mineral nuance.

This is a Barolo for unforgettable occasions, pairing magnificently with white truffle risotto, slow braised beef cheeks, venison loin, duck with porcini mushrooms or aged Parmigiano Reggiano. While captivating today with extended decanting, its balance and pedigree promise decades of graceful evolution.