Luigi Einaudi Barolo "Villero" DOCG 2020
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JD 94] [JS 94] [WE 94] [WA 94] [WS 94] [VM 93+]

About the Winery:
The first of the Einaudi estates (poderi) were purchased back in 1897 by 23-year-old Luigi Einaudi at San Giacomo, near Dogliani, in the heart of Dolcetto country. (Einaudi went on to become Italy's first President!) Granddaughter Paola Einaudi, her son Matteo Sardagna, and Giorgio Ruffo - together with vineyard director Zvonimir Jurkovic and winemaker Beppe Caviola - have proven a winning team, turning the oldest wine property in the Dogliani area into a cutting-edge classic.

Today, run by Matteo, the total surface area of the property, which is made up of over a dozen farmsteads, is almost 400 acres, over 100 of which are under vine, with additional new properties both owned and leased throughout the hills of Barolo. Podere Luigi Einaudi is grandfathered into the Barolo appellation even through the winery is physically located just outside those boundaries.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Made from the vineyard of Villero in Castiglione Falletto, 100% Nebbiolo. The particular mineral component of the terroir of Villero give the wine a good balance, a fine color and a long finish with a consistent aftertaste. The aroma is rich with scents of red fruits such as raspberry and pomegranate, very ripe, with floral notes. A wine that can be appreciated for a long time, until of 25-30 years for the best vintages.

Alcoholic content: 14.5%

Total acidity: 6.32 g/l

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Youthful ruby red, the 2020 Barolo Villero is more lifted, spiced, and bright on the nose, with notes of menthol, pomegranate, blood orange zest, and clove spice. Medium-bodied, it's spritely and well-balanced, with snappy lift and fine dusty tannins. It's more citrus-toned on the palate, with good length that tapers away slowly, and it has more nervous energy. Of the wines in this vintage, this is going to be one with some aging potential and worth holding onto a couple years before cracking into it. Drink 2025-2035." - Audrey Frick (May 2024)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"This has a savory, red-fruited character with sour cherries, blood oranges, dark licorice, peach stones and crushed herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, firm and structured with taut but refined tannins that form a silky and polished mid-palate. Long and even. Try after 2028." (Jan 2024)

94 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"Buckle up for this Barolo from the Villero cru! The nose is a spice bazaar, with cherries weaving through a labyrinth of cinnamon and clove. On the palate, it's a harmonious dance of savory and earthy notes, all wrapped up in a silky blanket of elegant tannins. The lifted finish will make you feel like you're soaring above the hills of Barolo! Drink 2025-2045." - Jeff Porter (Sep 2024)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2020 Barolo Villero shows signs of the hot growing season with ripe aromas of blackcurrant, dried tobacco leaf, rusty nail and bouillon cube in silver foil. The wine shows nice complexity, and the tannins are young but ripe from a phenolic perspective. There is sweet fruit, but ultimately, the Villero requires more bottle age. Only 3,300 bottles were made." - Monica Larner (Apr 2024)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A juicy red, bursting with fresh cherry, strawberry and rose flavors. Picks up iron, tobacco and underbrush notes that add complexity, all while persisting on the finish. Shows fine balance and structure. Best from 2026 through 2045." - Bruce Sanderson (Apr 2024)

93+ Points - Vinous Media:
"Just bottled, the 2020 Barolo Villero presents gorgeous spice, leather and savory notes. Fruit lies more in the background, as is often the case with wines from this cru. The 2020 shows good depth and plenty of persistence, both of which should help it develop nicely over the coming years. This has real grip, especially on the finish. Drinking Window: 2025-2035." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2024)