G. B. Burlotto Barolo DOCG 2022
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JS 98]

About the Winery:
Burlotto is a family winery was born in Verduno, a historic commune in Barolo, founded in 1850. During his 77 years as a winemaker (1850-1927), G.B. Burlotto’s accomplishments were rivaled only by those of Biondi-Santi and Vega Sicilia, as G.B. achieved super-stardom in a world dominated by French wines.

After his passing, the winery and Verduno itself faded away until the arrival of G.B.’s great-great-grandson Fabio Alessandria as winemaker, and now Burlotto’s star is again rising, reclaiming its position as one of Piedmont’s great small producers.

About this Wine:
Assembled from estate holdings in Verduno: 1.1 ha in Neirane, 1.25 ha in Rocche dell’Olmo, 1.13 ha in Boscatto and 0.77ha in Breri.

Verduno is the northernmost municipality of the Barolo area with soils that were formed between the Tortonian and the Messinian geological eras. Within short distances in the vineyards you can find land attributable to different geological formations, even if the prevailing ones are the laminated fossil Marls of Sant’Agata (Monvigliero) and the Cassano Spinola Formation (Neirane, Boscatto and part of Rocche Olmo). They are calcareous soils with a balanced presence of clay, sand and silt that allows for good water retention.

Technical Information

Vinification:
The harvest is carried out by hand, in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit and to allow for, when necessary, a selection of the grapes which are then transported to the cellar in 20 kg boxes. Whole cluster vinification is used (with grapes not destemmed) in open French oak vats, followed by two months of submerged cap maceration. In order to not damage the stalks, the grapes are still foot pressed.

Maturation:
Malolactic fermentation takes place in Slavonian and Allier oak barrels of 35-50 hectoliters followed by subsequent maturation for about 3 years. Bottling is usually carried out in the summer without fining or filtration and then the wine rests in the cellar for at least 9 months before being marketed.

Optimal serving temperature between 16 and 18 ° (60-65F).

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - James Suckling:
A complex and classy Barolo with vermouth-like aromas of cinnamon candy, rhubarb, potpourri, wild strawberries, dried cherries, angelica and licorice. Full-bodied and warming, it shows freshness with thick, muscular and dusty tannins and balanced fruit. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.

93 Points - Vinous:
The 2022 Barolo is stellar. It is certainly the wine of the vintage, taking into account quality at a price that is likely to remain quite fair. The Burlotto family chose not to bottle their 2022 single-vineyard Barolos because they thought those wines were not singular enough to be bottled separately. Instead, all the lots were blended into a single wine. The 2022 offers up copious dark Nebbiolo fruit along with hints of leather, spice box, mint, blood orange and white pepper. Time in the glass does wonders, as the 2022 continues to open with a bit of aeration. It's a gorgeous wine in every way. (Drink between 2027-2042)