Vietti Barolo "Lazzarito" DOCG 2018
(Piedmont, Italy) - [WA 96+] [TWI 96] [WS 94] [VM 94] [JS 93]

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%

96+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2018 Barolo Lazzarito represents Vietti's interpretation of Serralunga d'Alba, the village often associated with the most powerful wines in the appellation. The Lazzarito completes its secondary fermentation in barrique over three months and is then racked into large oak botti for an additional two years of aging. With some 8,000 bottles produced in this smaller vintage, the wine is very indicative of its geographic origins with tight black fruit, rusty nail, blood orange and earth. Compared to the others in this series, this wine delivers more lasting tannic power. A bit salty and savory now, it is well suited to long aging." - June, 2022, Monica Larner

96 Points - The Wine Independent:
The 2018 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito has intense aromas of very ripe, perfumed red fruits with a touch of rose petals, lightly coated in cream and spice. Heady with rose water notes, it takes on a hint of orange rind on standing. It is round and concentrated in the middle, with an extremely silky texture and an impressive finish, with the fine and silty tannins integrating into the body of the wine. Intriguing. Wait 2-3 years and drink for 20-25. (Drink 2025-2047)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
Round and full of plum, cherry, pomegranate, green tea and eucalyptus flavors, this red is also dense and muscular. Gripping tannins reign on the finish. Overall, this is balanced and very long. Best from 2026 through 2043. 774 cases made, 225 cases imported.

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Barolo Lazzarito is tense, vibrant and very much closed in on itself. Searing tannins and Serralunga structure dominate today. Crushed rocks, gravel, red fruit, rose petal, lavender and sage all run though this sculpted, vibrant Serralunga Barolo. What stands out most about the Lazzarito today is that is stylistically more similar to the other Barolos than it was a few years ago. I expect great things in time here." - February, 2022, Antonio Galloni

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Quite a flamboyant feel to this on the nose, showing raspberries and grainy notes, together with hints of fresh mushrooms. Some brighter passion fruit comes through with air. Medium-bodied with an intense core of vibrant fruit and youthful tannin which together, given time, will add length and breadth to the wine. Wait for this one. Try from 2024." - February, 2022, James Suckling