2021 Seghesio La Villa Barolo DOCG, Piedmont

The 2021 Barolo La Villa is fabulous. Dark and vibrant in the glass, the 2021 is alluring right out of the gate. Expressive spice and mentholated noted meld into a core of dark red/purplish fruit. Hints of blood orange, amaro herbs, coffee and menthol add further shades of nuance. There's so much to admire. Finessed tannins pull it all together in style.

95 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

High in the Langhe hills, where limestone and clay soils capture the warmth of the Piedmont sun, Seghesio crafts its La Villa Barolo from prized Nebbiolo vineyards around Monforte d’Alba. The Seghesio family story began in 1888 when Giovanni Seghesio left Liguria to farm vines in the Langhe, gradually building a reputation for wines that express the depth and structure of traditional Barolo. Today the estate remains family run, with Paolo Seghesio overseeing the cellar and continuing the philosophy of respectful vineyard work and patient ageing. La Villa represents a more concentrated expression of the estate’s Barolo style, drawn from carefully selected fruit and matured slowly in large oak casks to preserve Nebbiolo’s purity while allowing its tannins to soften and integrate.

A deep garnet hue signals a wine of intensity and pedigree. Aromas unfold slowly with classic notes of rose petal, dried cherry and wild strawberry, followed by layers of anise, leather, dried herbs and earthy truffle. Time in the glass brings hints of tobacco leaf, orange peel and spice. The palate carries impressive structure yet remarkable finesse, with firm tannins framing flavours of red plum, sour cherry, cranberry and savoury spice.

There is a wonderful tension between power and elegance that leads to a long, mineral driven finish. Built for ageing, this Barolo will evolve beautifully for two decades or more. At the table it thrives with braised veal shanks, slow cooked lamb shoulder, porcini risotto or aged hard cheeses that echo its savoury depth.