The word benchmark gets thrown around a lot, but this Nebbiolo seldom fails to justify that status. Perhaps this should be no surprise given the vineyard it is drawn from goes by the name of Bricco Boschis. In particular, the lion’s share of the grapes are drawn from the Melera lieu-dit of the Boschis hill, which lies a little west of Vigna San Guiseppe and lower down the hill.

Cropped at yields below 40 hl/ha, the bunches were destemmed and went through spontaneous fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was in cement tanks during the spring following harvest. The wine aged for 18 months in Slavonian oak botti and was bottled unfiltered. Once again, here is an outstanding, engaging Nebbiolo that offers excellent value for money. As with all this grower’s wines, the longer it spends in the decanter or glass, the more it reveals.

The magic of 2021 strikes again. The Bricco Boschis Cru is a truly profound vineyard: the amphitheatre-shaped site produces this Estate’s most emblematic Barolo. This wine comes from vines with an average age of 50 years, primarily situated in two parcels within this vineyard. The first is Punta Marcello, which lies at the top of the slope next to the cantina. This cool terroir is known for its fragrant, pale juice and long, angular tannins. Then, there is the Vigna Colle Sudovest parcel, facing south at a lower elevation. This is the vineyard's warmest microclimate, and the fruit from these vines produces fleshier, more accessible wines with darker, more richly flavoured juice and softer tannins.

The renowned Vigna San Giuseppe vines also contribute to the blend, and together, these three components form a complete picture of the Cru, complementing each other and building aromatic and structural complexity. The 2021 saw between 28 and 30 days on skins, followed by three years in large Slavonian oak casks, ranging in size from 20 to 100 hectolitres. Expect this stunning Nebbiolo to come into its own after 2030. It was bottled unfiltered.  

The magic of 2021 strikes again. The Bricco Boschis Cru is a truly profound vineyard: the amphitheatre-shaped site produces this Estate’s most emblematic Barolo. This wine comes from vines with an average age of 50 years, primarily situated in two parcels within this vineyard. The first is Punta Marcello, which lies at the top of the slope next to the cantina. This cool terroir is known for its fragrant, pale juice and long, angular tannins. Then, there is the Vigna Colle Sudovest parcel, facing south at a lower elevation. This is the vineyard's warmest microclimate, and the fruit from these vines produces fleshier, more accessible wines with darker, more richly flavoured juice and softer tannins.

The renowned Vigna San Giuseppe vines also contribute to the blend, and together, these three components form a complete picture of the Cru, complementing each other and building aromatic and structural complexity. The 2021 saw between 28 and 30 days on skins, followed by three years in large Slavonian oak casks, ranging in size from 20 to 100 hectolitres. Expect this stunning Nebbiolo to come into its own after 2030. It was bottled unfiltered.  

The Bricco Boschis Cru is one of Castiglione Falletto’s most profound vineyards: 

an amphitheatre-shaped site producing this estate’s most emblematic Barolo wines. Facing south/southeast, this sun-drenched hill has long been considered one of Barolo’s blue-ribbon vineyards. The entire planted area covers some 8.8 hectares. Yet, because of variations in soil composition, elevation and aspect, Cavallotto parcellates the site into three subzones: Vigne Colle Sud-Ovest, Punta Marcello and Vigna San Giuseppe. The last of these is also bottled as a single Cru Riserva, which we have here. The densely planted old vines grow at 300-360 metres altitude, and the soils—a patchwork of yellow, white and grey calcareous clays interwoven with sand and sandstone—are as varied as the vineyard’s myriad exposures.

Vigna San Giuseppe is a 3.7-hectare parcel on a steep slope behind the cantina. It has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the region’s greatest Barolos. You get the best of everything: altitude (but not too much); excellent drainage (but enough water retention thanks to the clay, so the vines don’t stress in dry conditions); and a complex mixture of soils, including blue-tinted clays (for power), limestone (freshness and mineral drive) and sand (prettiness and perfume). The stars align to produce something magnificent once you add especially small bunches from the 60-year-old vines, unique clonal material and southwest exposure. This 2017 spent 28 days on skins followed by five years in large cask. Made from half a crop this year, it’s a powerful yet seductive Barolo for which greatness is guaranteed.

Vigna San Giuseppe is a 3.7-hectare parcel on a steep slope behind the cantina. It has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the region’s greatest Barolos. It has the best of everything: altitude, but not too much; excellent drainage, but sufficient water retention thanks to the clay, so the vines don’t stress in dry conditions; and a complex mixture of soils.

These soils include blue-tinted clays, which bring power, limestone, adding freshness and mineral drive and sand, that delivers the prettiness and perfume. The marriage of especially small bunches from the 60-year-old vines, unique clonal material and southwest exposure produce something magnificent—it is as if the stars have aligned over this site. Clearly one of the wines of the vintage, this 2019 spent 28 days on skins followed by five years in large cask.

Vigna San Giuseppe is a 3.7-hectare parcel on a steep slope behind the cantina. It has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the region’s greatest Barolos. It has the best of everything: altitude, but not too much; excellent drainage, but sufficient water retention thanks to the clay, so the vines don’t stress in dry conditions; and a complex mixture of soils.

These soils include blue-tinted clays, which bring power, limestone, adding freshness and mineral drive and sand, that delivers the prettiness and perfume. The marriage of especially small bunches from the 60-year-old vines, unique clonal material and southwest exposure produce something magnificent—it is as if the stars have aligned over this site. Clearly one of the wines of the vintage, this 2019 spent 28 days on skins followed by five years in large cask.

In 1989, the Cavallotto family acquired 60% of the historic Vignolo Cru and was the first to bottle it as a single-vineyard wine. Cavallotto’s Vignolo comes from a 1.9-hectare parcel in the Cru, which forms a ridge of southwest-facing vines. It is accompanied by Codana and Monprivato on sites that lie between 60 and 80 metres lower than Bricco Boschis. The Estate’s only neighbour here is Paolo Scavino. 

Vignolo’s soils have some of the highest limestone content in Castiglione Falletto. Cavallotto’s vines were planted between 1948 and 1966, and vine age, combined with the terroir and organic farming, provides gentle structure, fruit purity and seductive texture. The 2019 spent 25 days on skins, followed by five years in large, neutral cask. This is in no way a lesser wine than the Vigna San Giuseppe; it is simply a different expression of Castiglione Falletto. Generally speaking, Vignolo is the more approachable and youthfully expressive of Cavallotto’s two Riservas, though its cellaring potential should not be underestimated! 

Cavallotto’s single-vineyard Dolcetto Vigna Scot hails from 2.3 hectares of 30-year-old vines within Castiglione Falletto’s legendary Monprivato vineyard. These Dolcetto vines face east, meaning it’s a cooler, later-ripening part of the vineyard. The mature vines, low yields and traditional winemaking on these great soils result in a layered, deep, remarkably serious Dolcetto.

While the vast majority of Langhe Dolcetto is raised in stainless steel, the Cavallotto family prefers to use cement tank and 5,000-litre Slavonian botti. This polishes Dolcetto’s tannins and helps to avoid its tendency for reduction. As always, this is a Nebbiolo drinker’s Dolcetto (if you know what we mean), and one that punches well above its weight. It has a juicy, mouthwatering texture bursting with vibrant cherry and spice and cosseted by palate-friendly, polished tannins. Already open for business, yet so lovely and fresh, it is another sophisticated effort that is as deep and multifaceted an expression of this variety as you are likely to find.

Cavallotto’s Vigna del Cuculo is a major-league Barbera from a parcel of 50-plus-year-old vines on the western side of Bricco Boschis. This parcel is named after the cuckoo bird (cuculo)—we’re not sure why, and neither is Alfio Cavallotto! This wine's unique power and ridiculous quality can be attributed to the mature vines, low yields and powerful terroir of the Bricco Boschis. The western aspect and the preponderance of limestone temper Barbera’s natural acidity, and Alfio Cavallotto explains that this ‘Barolo’ terroir contributes to an aromatic range in Barbera that is closer to Nebbiolo.

The winemaking is also distinctive, with up to 18 days on skins (a long time for Barbera) and then aging for 20 months in the same mature Slavonian casks as the Nebbiolo wines. 2021 is a wonderfully fleshy and perfumed year for this benchmark wine. It’s got that core of pure, sweet, plummy fruit so particular to this Barbera, here infused with nuances of anise, dried flower and earthy minerals. The tannins are supple and elegant, the acidity ripe yet racy, and the wine finishes with unusual depth, finesse and complexity for the variety. Equally deep, complex and textural—not all Barbera is created equal.

The Bricco Boschis Cru is a truly profound vineyard: an amphitheatre-shaped site producing this estate’s most emblematic Barolo. This wine comes from vines with an average age of 50 years, primarily situated in two parcels within this vineyard. The first is Punta Marcello, which lies at the top of the slope next to the cantina. This cool terroir is known for its fragrant, pale juice and long, angular tannins. Then, there is the Vigna Colle Sudovest parcel, facing south at a lower elevation. This is the vineyard's warmest microclimate, and the fruit from these vines produces fleshier, more accessible wines with darker, more richly flavoured juice and softer tannins. The renowned Vigna San Giuseppe vines also contribute something to the blend, and together, these three components form a complete picture of the Cru, complementing each other and building aromatic and structural complexity. The 2020 saw between 28 and 30 days on skins, followed by three years in large Slavonian oak casks, ranging in size from 20 to 100 hectolitres. It was bottled unfiltered. 

The Bricco Boschis Cru is a truly profound vineyard: an amphitheatre-shaped site producing this estate’s most emblematic Barolo. This wine comes from vines with an average age of 50 years, primarily situated in two parcels within this vineyard. The first is Punta Marcello, which lies at the top of the slope next to the cantina. This cool terroir is known for its fragrant, pale juice and long, angular tannins. Then, there is the Vigna Colle Sudovest parcel, facing south at a lower elevation. This is the vineyard's warmest microclimate, and the fruit from these vines produces fleshier, more accessible wines with darker, more richly flavoured juice and softer tannins. The renowned Vigna San Giuseppe vines also contribute something to the blend, and together, these three components form a complete picture of the Cru, complementing each other and building aromatic and structural complexity. The 2020 saw between 28 and 30 days on skins, followed by three years in large Slavonian oak casks, ranging in size from 20 to 100 hectolitres. It was bottled unfiltered.

In 1989, the Cavallotto family acquired 60% of the historic Vignolo Cru and was the first to bottle this Cru as a single-vineyard wine. Cavallotto’s Vignolo comes from a 1.9-hectare parcel in the Cru, which forms a ridge of southwest-facing vines, along with Codana and Monprivato, that lie between 60 and 80 metres lower than Bricco Boschis. The estate’s only neighbour here is Paulo Scavino.

Vignolo’s soils have some of the highest limestone content in Castiglione Falletto. Cavallotto’s vines were planted between 1948 and 1966, and vine age combines with the terroir and organic farming to give gentle structure, fruit purity and seductive texture. The 2018 spent 25 days on skins, followed by five years in large, neutral cask. This is in no way a lesser wine than the Vigna San Giuseppe; it is simply a different expression of Castiglione Falletto. Generally speaking, Vignolo is the more approachable and youthfully expressive of Cavallotto’s two Riservas, though its cellaring potential should not be underestimated!

Vigna San Giuseppe is a 3.7-hectare parcel on a steep slope behind the cantina. It has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the region’s greatest Barolos. You get the best of everything: altitude, but not too much; excellent drainage, but enough water retention thanks to the clay, so the vines don’t stress in dry conditions; and a complex mixture of soils. These soils include blue-tinted clays, which bring power, limestone, adding freshness and mineral drive and sand, that delivers the prettiness and perfume. Once you add especially small bunches from the 60-year-old vines, unique clonal material and southwest exposure, the stars align to produce something magnificent.

Clearly one of the wines of the vintage, this 2018 spent 28 days on skins followed by five years in large cask. Where the Riserva Vignolo has a little more vertical lift and minerality in this vintage, the Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is more about ballast and texture.

Vigna San Giuseppe is a 3.7-hectare parcel on a steep slope behind the cantina. It has long been considered the sweet spot for this vineyard, consistently delivering one of the region’s greatest Barolos. You get the best of everything: altitude, but not too much; excellent drainage, but enough water retention thanks to the clay, so the vines don’t stress in dry conditions; and a complex mixture of soils. These soils include blue-tinted clays, which bring power, limestone, adding freshness and mineral drive and sand, that delivers the prettiness and perfume. Once you add especially small bunches from the 60-year-old vines, unique clonal material and southwest exposure, the stars align to produce something magnificent.

Clearly one of the wines of the vintage, this 2018 spent 28 days on skins followed by five years in large cask. Where the Riserva Vignolo has a little more vertical lift and minerality in this vintage, the Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is more about ballast and texture.