Fratelli Alessandria 'Monvigliero' Barolo 2021

This structured and 'ethereal' red wine originates from Italy, within the world-renowned Barolo D.O.C.G. appellation of the northern Piedmont region. Fratelli Alessandria is a historic, deeply respected family estate located in the village of Verduno, tracing its commercial winemaking roots all the way back to 1830. Under the current, precision-focused stewardship of Vittore Alessandria, the family operates under a classic, low-intervention winemaking philosophy to highlight site-specific clarity. The "Monvigliero" vineyard is universally revered as the absolute crown jewel, undisputed Grand Cru of Verduno, and one of the most distinctive terroirs in the entire Barolo zone. The heritage vines are rooted in a unique geological matrix of limestone-heavy, chalky white marls (Marnes di Sant'Agata) mixed with veins of silt, where the vineyard’s distinct amphitheater shape acts as a sun trap while capturing cooling alpine breezes to focus an unmatched aromatic verticality.

Wine Description

The 2021 Fratelli Alessandria 'Monvigliero' Barolo presents a translucent, luminous ruby-garnet appearance in the glass. Its sensory profile is exceptionally elegant, complex, and high-toned, opening with an intense, beautifully layered bouquet of fresh-crushed wild cherries, strawberry preserves, and orange peel, seamlessly woven with Monvigliero's signature aromatic markers of white pepper, alpine herbs, dried rose petals, and sweet tobacco leaf. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied, tense, and beautifully balanced, showcasing a concentrated and fleshy core of crunchy red fruits, dark plum extracts, and black cardamom. It is characterized by its outstanding inner energy and a vibrant backbone of limestone-driven acidity. The mouthfeel is wonderfully sleek and transparent, driven by firm, fine-grained, and silky tannins that frame its ethereal texture before gliding into a remarkably long, savory, and chalky finish highlighted by a distinct salty streak and lingering notes of cedar wood spice.

This pristine, high-definition expression is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo sourced entirely from the family's 1.4-hectare holding within the iconic Monvigliero cru. Following a meticulous manual harvest in October, the fruit underwent traditional, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks with extended skin contact to extract fine tannins. To preserve the raw purity of the site and allow for slow micro-oxygenation, the wine completed malolactic conversion and was matured for approximately 3 years in traditional, large 20-to-40 hectoliter Slavonian and French oak casks (botti). It rested for an additional 2 months in stainless steel and a minimum of 6 months in horizontally laid bottles prior to commercial release, reaching a well-balanced alcohol content (ABV) of 14.0%. Reflecting the estate's artisanal values, the blocks are sustainably managed using certified organic farming practices.