2021 Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG Half Bottle 375ml, Piedmont

Half Bottle 375ml

Restrained and compact nose with vibrant violets and dried cherries, refreshed by pomegranate and oak bark. Full-bodied on the palate with a sold backbone of tannins that turn dusty and drier on the finish. Crisp acidity and an austere aftertaste. Try from 2027.

93 points James Suckling

Ruby with garnet tints. A fresh and appealing floral bouquet of violets and roses, with red currants and berries and dusty spice joining in. To taste, there is vibrant fruit and blood orange tang with powdery tannins and gentle spice. There is lovely flow and piquancy to this wine 27 Jan 2025 Drink 2025–2037

93 points The Real Review

Few producers have done more to shape modern Barolo than the Scavino family. Founded in Castiglione Falletto in 1921, the estate rose to prominence under the visionary guidance of Enrico Scavino, whose meticulous vineyard work and deep understanding of Nebbiolo helped establish Paolo Scavino as one of Piedmont's great names. Today, Enrico's daughters Enrica and Elisa continue that legacy, crafting wines that combine precision, elegance and a profound sense of place.

This Barolo is drawn from a selection of distinguished vineyards across the appellation, allowing the wine to capture the broader character of Barolo rather than the personality of a single cru. The outstanding 2021 vintage delivered fruit of exceptional purity, concentration and freshness, producing wines of remarkable balance and ageing potential. Careful élevage has preserved Nebbiolo's perfume and structure while allowing the vintage to speak clearly.

Bright garnet red in colour, the bouquet opens with aromas of rose petal, red cherry and wild strawberry layered with blood orange, violet and sweet spice. As the wine evolves in the glass, notes of truffle, tobacco leaf and forest floor emerge, adding depth and intrigue. The palate is beautifully sculpted, combining vibrant red fruits with savoury earthiness, mineral detail and finely woven tannins. There is impressive power beneath the wine's elegance, while the finish lingers with floral perfume, spice and classic Barolo persistence.

This is a magnificent companion for white truffle risotto, braised beef cheeks, duck ragù, slow roasted lamb shoulder or aged Parmigiano Reggiano. While already immensely rewarding with a generous decant, the pedigree and structure of the 2021 vintage suggest a long and graceful evolution in the cellar.