Comm G.B. Burlotto - Barolo Monvigliero 2019

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During his seventy-seven years as a winemaker (1850-1927), Commendatore Giovanni Battista Burlotto’s accomplishments were rivaled only by those of Biondi-Santi and Vega Sicilia, as G.B. achieved superstardom in a world dominated by French wines. Today, Burlotto has re-emerged as one of Piemonte’s great small producers, thanks to the brilliant and highly traditional winemaking of G.B.’s great-great-grandson, Fabio Alessandria.

He pioneered selling Barolo in bottle (not cask or demijohn), predating even Giacomo Conterno’s Barolo Monfortino. And as official supplier to the Royal House of Savoy—which once ruled Piemonte—he not only achieved personal fame, he made his village of Verduno as renowned as Serralunga or La Morra.

G.B.’s death in 1927 not only took away Burlotto’s driving force, it also deprived Verduno of its greatest champion. And so both faded into obscurity in the decades that followed. But now, with G.B.’s great-great-grandson Fabio Alessandria as winemaker, Burlotto’s star is again rising, reclaiming its position as one of Piedmont’s great small producers.

"G.B. Burlotto’s luminous, drop-dead gorgeous 2019 Monvigliero stopped me in my tracks, starting with its enticing fragrance of rose, pine forest, perfumed berry and layers of Asian spice. Structured, tense and loaded with finesse, the savory palate shows class and pedigree, delivering juicy cranberry, crushed strawberry, star anise and tangy mineral notes recalling saline. It has a singular and extraordinary purity of flavors, as well as precision and a pristine quality, all exalted by taut but extremely refined tannins. Bright acidity provides balance and great energy. For lovers of extreme elegance, this is the ultimate expression of Verduno’s most celebrated cru. Fabio crushes whole bunches of his best Monvigliero grapes by foot directly in wooden vats followed by two months of submerged cap maceration. The wine then ages for three years in Slavonian and Allier oak casks. Sublime. Drink 2026–2049. (Feb 2023)." 100 points Kerin O'Keefe

"This wine feels like a delicate whisper in the ear that tickles and taunts but gets its message across. The Comm. G.B. Burlotto 2019 Barolo Monvigliero definitely spoke to me thanks to its immediate complexity that transcends wild strawberry, aromatic herb, white pepper, orange peel, hazelnut, truffle essence, autumnal leaf, cinnamon and pencil shaving. I could go on. The first vintage made was 1982, and Monvigliero famously sees whole cluster fruit to add to those spicy and herbaceous aromas that are so delicate and fleeting. Fabio Alessandria's other important Barolos, like Castelletto and Acclivi, are made with destemmed grapes, but whole cluster fermentation fits in with the characteristics of the Monvigliero cru. Fabio explains that the use of full bunches is not about gaining structural power per se; it's about obtaining complexity. The 2019 vintage is all about energy and tension, and although the nature of the vintage is a bit closed in its youth, this wine is poised for long aging. Drink 2025-2060 (Aug 2023)." 100 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate)

"The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is produced entirely from whole clusters and is a pale ruby, with a spicy and lifted perfume revealing layers of cinnamon, red berries, tarragon, and white pepper. Medium-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long finish, this is highly refined, with a Burgundian aesthetic of purity and beautiful concentration. A singular and exceptional wine, drink it over the next few decades. Drink 2023-2043 (May 2023)." 99 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com)

"The 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is a knock-out. What a wine. Rich and layered in the glass, with striking textural intensity, the 2019 unfurls beautifully with a bit of coaxing. All the elements are so well put together for a young wine. Crushed rose petal, mint, sage, rose petal and sweet pipe tobacco lend striking nuance to this dynamic, vibrant Barolo. The 2019 is quite simply magnificent. Its splendor only grows over time. Drink 2029-2049 (Jan 2023)." 99 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous):

"At the northernmost tip of Barolo, GB Burlotto's Monvigliero 2019 was harvested around 20 October. Fermented in big oak casks with its own yeasts and whole cluster grapes, it displays the typically elegant style of the MGA. A scented nose of sweet violets, cinnamon, rhubarb and bark of cinchona is fully focused on rooty and earthy notes before a fresh, delicate fruit character of wild strawberry and orange emerges. There's great concentration on the palate, with super-crisp acidity and elegant velvety tannins. The finish is lifted and refined. Chiselled to perfection. Drinking window 2023-2050 (Jan 2023)." 98 points Decanter:

 

WA

100

DEC

98

JD

99

KO

100

V

99

Price: $599.00

Sale Price: $449.00

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Producer	Comm G.B. Burlotto
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Subregion	Verduno
Varietal	Nebbiolo
Vintage	2019
Sku	17820
Size	750ml