2021 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo del Comune di Verduno, Piedmont

Fruit for the Fratelli Alessandria 2021 Barolo del Comune di Verduno comes from five vineyard sites in Verduno: Riva Rocca, Rocche dell'Olmo, Campasso, Pisapola and Boscato. This was the first Barolo del Comune di Verduno to hit the market (with the 2017 vintage). The bouquet focuses on redcurrant and tart cherry, and there is a pinch of cinnamon buried in there as well. This is a pretty Barolo that manages elegance and an easy-drinking style. This 20,000-bottle release ages in Slavonian and French oak botti for three years.

In April 2022, Vittore Alessandria and his family opened their new bed & breakfast called Speziale, which is also one of their most popular wines. They hold the Verduno flag high in terms of winemaking excellence and hospitality. I was excited to taste the 2024 Verduno Pelaverga Speziale (a wine I always love), but my sample didn't arrive. I'll submit a review in my next report.

94 points Monica Larner for The Wine Advocate

Bottled only a month before I tasted it and coming from five vineyards in Verduno, the 2021 Barolo Del Comune Di Verduno is very pretty on the nose, with a good deal of complexity and purity lifting from the glass with aromas of fresh raspberries, strawberry, fresh spices, fennel, incense, and roses. The palate is focused and energetic, with bright acidity, finely coiled tannins, a salty, mouthwatering feel, and a light, savory finish. It is both tension-packed and has the finesse of Verduno throughout this Comune bottling. Drink over the next 15 years. Drink: 2025-2040

93+ points Audry Frick for Jeb Dunnuck May 2025

The 2021 Barolo del Comune di Verduno is a blend of five vineyards across the village. Aromatic and polished yet also wonderfully deep, the 2021 is shaping up to be a real beauty. There's gorgeous density here, not to mention tons of personality. Vittore Alessandria's 2021 Barolos are hugely promising.

Because of the timing of my trip, I tasted the wines just prior to bottling. Harvest was October 7 and 8 for the San Lorenzo and Monvigliero respectively, then October 14 for the Gramolere. The 2021s saw about 30 days on the skins, with submerged cap maceration. Aging was done in cask. These Barolos can be a bit shy out of the gate, but they blossom with a few years in bottle.

90-92 points AG Vinous

From the northern reaches of Barolo, Verduno has a reputation for producing some of the most perfumed and elegant expressions of Nebbiolo, and Fratelli Alessandria is one of its great custodians. The family has been making wine here for generations, now led by Vittore Alessandria, with a focus on traditional methods and a deep respect for site. Their Barolo del Comune di Verduno blends fruit from across the village, capturing its signature finesse and aromatic lift.

The 2021 vintage brings both clarity and structure, a season that allowed Nebbiolo to ripen beautifully while retaining freshness. Pale garnet in colour, the aromatics are immediately captivating, red cherry, raspberry and rose petal rising from the glass, followed by hints of spice, dried herbs and a subtle earthy note.

The palate is finely structured and precise, with bright red fruits carried by firm, chalky tannins that give the wine its backbone. There is a lovely tension here, with acidity keeping everything focused and energetic. As it opens, layers of spice, tar and savoury complexity begin to build, leading into a long, persistent finish.

This is a wine that really comes into its own with food. Braised beef, truffle infused dishes, or slow cooked game all work beautifully, as do rich pasta dishes where the tannins and acidity can cut through.

While approachable with a good decant, it will reward patience over ten to fifteen years, developing more tertiary complexity and softness.

There is a real sense of place here, a Barolo that speaks clearly of Verduno, offering perfume, structure and a quiet, enduring elegance.