Over the years Luigi and Fiorina Baudana have studied the growing zones in their famous Cerretta and Baudana vineyards and have picked out the areas that produce grapes that are more suited to making an earlier drinking, more fruit-forward Barolo. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with manual punching down and gentle pump-overs during the maceration and fermentation which can last from 15-20 days. The wine is then aged in Slovanian and French oak for 26-36 months. This is a true "village" expression of Serralunga d'Alba in the northern sector of Barolo.
The 2015 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba is a blend of mostly younger vine fruit from Cerretta and Baudana. Deep and expressive in the glass, the 2015 is a fabulous wine in its peer group. Smoke, tar, dark red fruit, iron and wild herbs add striking nuance to a Barolo that shows all the muscle and power of Serralunga while retaining a mid-weight feel. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years. The combination of beguiling aromatics, supple fruit and good supporting structure makes for a compelling, delicious Barolo.
92pts-- Antonio Galloni, VINOUS |