Luciano Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2024
(Piedmont, Italy) - [WE 94] [JS 93] [VM 93] [JD 92]

About the Winery:
The late Luciano Sandrone was an iconic figure in Barolo. He started to learn viticulture at the age of 14 and, after years of work as a cellarman, bought his first vineyard on the Cannubi hill in 1977, managing it on weekends while he kept his job. He made his first vintage in 1978 in his parents' garage and made every vintage at home until the winery he built in 1998, at the foot of the Cannubi hillside in the heart of Barolo, was ready for use in 1999. Sandrone's wines straddle the modern and traditional styles of the region: elegant and attractive from their first years in bottle, with no less power and structure over time than the most traditional Barolo. The approach combines extremely low yields in the vineyard, a medium-length maceration, and limited use of new oak, with maturation in 500-liter tonneaux.

About the Wine:
Valmaggiore is one of the great historic vineyard sites of the Roero, located on the concave hill of the same name in Vezza d’Alba, on the left bank of the Tanaro river. Its reputation for quality stretches back to the nineteenth century, when Nebbiolo from this site commanded the highest prices across the entire territory. It was this combination of history, long viticultural tradition and the particular character of its sandy soils and unique microclimate that captivated Luciano and Luca Sandrone when they first encountered the vineyard in the 1990s.

Vineyard:
Vineyard in the village of Vezza d'Alba, shaped as an amphitheater and south facing, with soft, sandy soil and extremely steep slopes.

Winemaking:
Each block is vinified separately. After destemming and light crushing, the must is covered with CO2 for a gentle warm maceration of approximately a day. Alcoholic fermentation begins about 24-36 hours later from native yeasts. A gentle maceration takes place in upright open-top steel tanks for the first 7-9 days of alcoholic fermentation. Immediately after alcoholic fermentation, which takes around 25 days, malolactic fermentation and aging takes place in 500 liter French oak casks for 12 months, followed by 9 months bottle aging. 100% Nebbiolo, 14% alcohol. Just 1,400 cases produced.

Vintage:
The 2024 Piedmont growing season began with a mild winter and spring rains, helping replenish water reserves. A warm summer, followed by well-timed rainfall, aided ripening. Despite some challenges, including hail and disease pressure, the quality of the Nebbiolo grapes remains promising. The harvest, later than usual, took place between September and October. Many producers noted a balance of quantity and quality, with Nebbiolo showing excellent potential and lower alcohol levels.

Tasting Notes:
Lifted aromas of red fruit, rose and violet with white pepper. Red fruit leads the palate, framed by tobacco, spice and mineral notes, with firm yet supple tannins, fresh acidity and a long, layered finish.

Food Pairing:
Vitello tonnato, Tajarin with butter and white truffle.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Lifted and pretty on the nose with dark spiced cherries that have a seriousness beneath all that prettiness, like something elegant with a firm handshake. The palate does not ease you in, it arrives with a bang, ripe fruit and refined tannins with just enough grip to tell you this wine has places to go. Give it time and it will absolutely get there in style. Drink Now - 2040." (Jun 2026)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Multilayered nebbiolo from one of the most celebrated cru of this grape, Valmaggiore. Dried cherries and meaty depth, embers, bark and licorice. Medium to full body, stunning savoriness with dried flowers and blood oranges, and firm velvety tannins with grip and energy. Yet it’s polished finish despite its thickness. Drink or hold." (Mar 2026)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2024 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is a very pretty, aromatic wine from Sandrone. Crushed autumn leaves, sweet dried cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco, mint and a touch of orange peel are all lifted in the glass. This mid-weight, sensual, gracious Nebbiolo is a total delight. I tasted it from tank just prior to bottling." (Jan 2026)

90-92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A transparent ruby hue, the 2024 Nebbiolo D'Alba Valmaggiore reveals delicate aromatics of currants, roses, pepper, fresh herbs, and subtle espresso tones. Medium-bodied, it is currently tense and youthful, with fine coiled tannins and a bright spine of acidity. With additional bottle time, it should settle into a more harmonious and elegant expression."