Vietti Barolo "Lazzarito" DOCG 2017
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JD 97] [JS 96] [VM 95] [WA 94]

About the Winery:
Located in the heart of the Langhe hills, at the top of the village of Castiglione Falletto, the Vietti wine cellar was founded in the late 1800s by Carlo Vietti. Alfredo Currado married Luciana Vietti and is largely responsible for the resurrection of the Arneis grape. Today the estate is led by Luca Currado Vietti and his wife Elena.

In 2016 the historic winery was acquired by Krause Holdings, enabling Luca and Elena Currado, the fourth generation in charge of the Vietti brand, to add a number of prized crus to the estate’s holdings, all while maintaining the family approach for which the cellar has always been known.

Winemaking

 The grapes are sourced from the single vineyard Lazzarito in Serralunga dAlba, with about 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines have an average age of 38 years. Lazzarito is a wonderful amphitheater facing south-west, with a soil made of clay-limestone. Our overall surface stretches for about 2 hectares. Fermentation lasts about 4 weeks in stainless steel tanks with skin contact. This time includes the pre- and post- fermentative maceration with the traditional submerged cap method. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak..

Aging: Approximately 30 months in large oak casks and barriques.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet red colour. Fascinating and deep on the nose. Notes of hay, cut grass, tobacco, white pepper and wild mint. Robust, muscular on the palate, with a taut and mineral finish. The tannins are typical of Serralunga: angular, austere and very deep. Appealing lingering sweetness on the finish.

Food Pairings: Game, red meats, cheeses

Technical Data

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.63% Alc./Volume
Total Acidity: 5.78 g/L
Total dry extract: 31.0%

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"From the southwest facing amphitheater of Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba the 2017 Barolo Lazzarito was aged for 30 months in a combination of large oak casks and barrique. The nose is layered with elegant spice and floral notes of cedar, red plum, and brushed leather. There is incredible balance within its structure, which has deceptive ease for early drinking. Hold 3-5 years or drink 2023-2046." - Audrey Frick (5/27/2021)

96 Points - James Suckling:
"This is very chewy and powerful with lots of velvety tannins that are firm and intense. It’s full and flavorful with strawberries and tar. Bark undertones. Flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Try after 2024." (Jun 2021)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"Vietti's 2017 Barolo Lazzarito is absolutely gorgeous. Whatever the challenges of the growing season, they appear to have been no problem here. More than anything else, the Lazzarito impresses with its magnificent depth and stature. Super-ripe red fruit, white pepper, mint, tobacco, cured meat, spice and rose petal open gradually with time in the glass. I would not be in a rush to open bottles anytime soon. The Lazzarito has been one of the most improved wines at Vietti for a number of years. The 2017 is so captivating." Antonio Galoni (Feb 2021)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"A release of 8,760 bottles, the Vietti 2017 Barolo Lazzarito draws its fruit from Serralunga d'Alba and reveals a luminous garnet color. Compared to some of the others in this portfolio, the wine takes a little longer to open and express itself. It does, however, unfold to dark cherry, redcurrant, grilled herb, iron ore and candied orange peel. You need to give your glass a few extra vigorous swirls. Those rusty mineral notes build in intensity and drive the wine's medium-long finish." - Monica Larner (Jun 2021)