Few wines reach the heights of Italy's king and queen, Barolo and Barbaresco. Presenting two benchmark producers and their 'assemblage wines' that represent these winemaking capitals with class and verve: Carlo Giacosa in Barbaresco proper and the famed Oddero family in the commune of La Morra.
Carlo Giacosa 2021 Barbaresco Classico
It’s a tragedy I have yet to visit Carlo Giacosa, a wrong I intend to right on my next trip to Piemonte. Their wines are underrated and quite accessible in their youth. His 2021 Barbaresco is intense, spicy and powerfully fragrant, showcasing the backbone and fleshy character of the vintage. It has more overt cherry fruit and reveals its oak more than my Cantina del Pino 2021, a great contrast for two classico bottlings. Carlo Giacosa, an original member of the cooperative Produttori del Barbaresco in the 1960’s. Carlo is a 2nd generation winemaker who organically farms 5 hectars of vineyards in the Ovello, Montefico, Montestefano, Cole cru’s of Barbaresco.
Oddero 2020 Barolo Classico Piemonte
There is a lot of magic found in “village-level” Barolo these days and Oddero’s 2020 is a standout. Assembled from fruit in both La Morra and Castiglione Falletto, there is a completeness to this wine I love. On the nose, it has a leaner fruit profile with more minerals and classic dried red flowers. The palate is a deeper experience, showing a plushness of dark red fruit lifted by some persistent acidity. Produced from one of Barolo benchmark families.
