Brovia - Villero Barolo 2018
Some may argue the case but, personally, if we had to pick one of these “cru” Barolo as the “king of kings”, our vote would go the “Villero”. The package is complete: strong yet elegant, powerful but dignified, above all pure and balanced. No matter the vintage, this special site in Castiglione Falletto yields a consistently marvelous wine that will age with consummate grace. Dark and brooding in its youth, it matures into a regal wine of exceptional depth. For us it is the quintessential Barolo. This 1.5 hectare vineyard faces southwest at an altitude of 340 meters. The vines were planted in 1961. The “Villero” is aged in large French oak “botti” for at least two years after a cuvaison of three weeks or more. Approximately 5500 bottles are produced annually; 1,200 bottles plus 60 magnums are bottled exclusively for us for the US market.
Brovia Description
Castiglione Falletto, in the heart of the Barolo district. The family has been continually engaged in the growing of grapes and the production of wine since that time. The phylloxera plague, economic upheaval and two wars interrupted production for almost 30 years but, in 1953, two brothers, Giacinto and Raffaele, grandchildren of the founder, resumed full-scale wine production. Giacinto, a trained enologist, was responsible for the production of the wine while Raffaele, a trained agronomist, supervised the vineyard work. Sadly, Raffaele passed away in 2011, and Giacinto in 2014, but Giacinto’s daughter Elena and her husband Alex Sanchez are now completely engaged as the fourth generation in the affairs of this family-run estate. For our part, Rosenthal Wine Merchant has worked in close collaboration with the Brovia family for several decades, having made our first purchases in the exceptional 1978 vintage.
Wine Enthusiast: 97 Points
"Aromas of forest berry, new leather, dark spice and camphor come to the forefront on this gorgeous red. Full-bodied and delicious, the elegantly structured palate doles out crushed raspberry, licorice, orange zest and mint while bright acidity lends youthful, nervous tension. Taut, refined tannins provide structure and impeccable balance. Drink: 2026–2038. (Sep 2022)"
Wine Advocate: 95 Points
"The 2018 Barolo Villero is laser sharp and etched with ferrous mineral notes next to wild berry, cherry, cola, campfire ash and grilled rosemary. This elegant, mid-weight wine shows a very long finish and should not disappoint on the cellar-aging front. It should hold well past the 20-year mark. Drink: 2024-2040. (Aug 2022)"
