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$250
The core of fruit in the 2010 matches the great wines from the vintage. Having tasted a dozen of the best just a few weeks ago, it’s clear this is up at the top of the list. Cavallotto’s 2010 shines as having power with elegance. Grab a bottle of Cavallotto’s 2010 Barolo Riserva ‘Vigna San Guiseppe’ for comparision.
Out of stock
From the importer: Cavallotto’s Barolo Riserva Vignolo comes from a 1.6 hectare parcel of this cru, which forms a ridge of southwest facing vines along with Codana and Monprivato. Planted between 1948 and 1966, Vignolo has some of the highest limestone content in Castiglione Falletto and lies 60-80 metres lower than the Bricco Boschis. These are two factors, among others, that account for this wine’s more gentle structure, purity of fruit and youthful approachability. In no way a lesser wine than the Vigna San Giuseppe from Bricco Boschis, it’s simply a different, terroir/cru driven expression of Castiglione Falletto. The 2010 spent 28 days on skins before being aged for four years in Slavonian oak casks of different sizes. Obviously a great year, this is a wine that well and truly lives up to the hype. We have only a few cases so get in quickly if you’re keen. The notes below capture the wine well.
About a year ago we had a Barolo Magnum festa. There were some seriously big names amongst the mix. The top 3 wines in no particular order 1999 Bartolo Mascarello, 1999 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, and, 2001 Cavallotto ‘Bricco Boschis’ Riserva made from the ‘Vigna San Giuseppe’ parcel within Cavallotto’s Monopole ‘Bricco Boscis’.
That is some serious company to play with.
When you unearth the history of Cavallotto, all the elements are there, great sites, high planting density, balanced healthy vineyards with moderate crops, now farmed organically.
Two additional elements take their wines to the next level, vine age, continuity of farmers with the retention of wisdom it offers! This is, and, has always been a family business, knowledge built on, and, passed from generation to generation.
Common threads run through Cavallotto’s wines, from their Dolcetto, to their Barbera, and, Nebbiolo’s, Langhe, Barolo Bricco Boschis, and, Barolo Riserva from Vigna San Guiseppe and Vigna Vignolo.
They are focused on purity of fruit, without the interference of oak, complexity, and, are one of the best examples off carefully considered élévage on the market. All of this results in wines of great expression and vibrancy.
Earlier this week I tasted, read drank, 12 x 2010 Baroli. Reflecting on the mix, there was a distinction between modern and traditional styles, perhaps less obvious than you would have seen 10 years ago, none the less it was there. The most modern of styles tended to have darker colour, less complexity, more new oak, look slightly more clinical and clean, not having the personality of the more traditional wines which tended to have great harmony, complexity, and, more intrigue. Unfortunately 2 of the more traditional wines clearly lacked cellar hygiene and were spoiled by Brettanomyces.
Cavallotto’s wines clearly sit on the classic, traditional, Barolo side of the ledger.
As you’d expect from wines made in a more classical style, there’s longer maceration, time on skins, which often softens tannins, and, layers in complexity, think perfume and truffles. Oak is old and large Botte 2,000-10,000L in volume. Not only do these keep the wine fresher during maturation, but, impart no oak tannins, aroma or flavour. Maturation is longer, than, many in both Botte and then bottle, the very reason you’re just seeing the 2012 Barolo now when many have released 2013’s.
They make such beautiful, expressive wines!
Cavallotto is yet another example of knowing your producers, and, their vineyards. In the heart of Castiglione Falletto, Cavallotto holds the monopole (single owner) vineyard Bricco Boschis, only a stones through away from another famed Barolo monopole, Monprivato. Although I don’t like comparing the two, Monprivato, produces some of the most Burgundian, Nebbiolo I’ve ever had.
You can see the Barbera in the light green on the map is planted on the ‘Bricco Boschis’, it’s just going to be good. Just like Vietti’s Langhe Nebbiolo, Cavallotto’s is sourced from vineyards that are effectively declassified Barolo vineyard.
Surrounding the Bricco Boschis, within 500m are the remainder of their holdings. Including the Vigna Vignolo, consistently the source of their Riserva.
All the vines have serious age, with Dolcetto planting near 40 years old, Barbera 55 years, and, Nebbiolo 45 to 55 years old.
*Watch or listen as we explore the history, vineyards, winemaking and wines of Cavallotto!
The core of fruit in the 2010 matches the great wines from the vintage. Have tasted a dozen of the best just a few weeks ago. It's clear this is up there with the best of them. 2010 shines as having power with elegance. Cavallotto's Riserva 'Vignolo' is such a delicious wine, poised, fragrant, such incredible layers of flavour & the rare seamless harmony only the greats seem to manage.
After a few minutes in the glass, this stunning wine opens up to reveal classic Nebbiolo aromas of leather, tilled soil, underbrush, fragrant blue flower and ripe berry. The juicy concentrated palate dishes out layers of succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, anise and pipe tobacco framed in firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2022–2035.
This Riserva offers a very classic and traditional interpretation of the Nebbiolo grape. The 2010 Barolo Riserva Vignolo shows some texture on the palate as the wine moves forward with velvety richness and plushness. The bouquet, however, delivers important Nebbiolo authenticity with pressed rose, wild berry, balsam herb, earthy truffle and campfire ash. The whole effect is polished, buoyant and majestic.
The 2010 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is dark, mysterious and inviting, with serious depth and layers of flavors that unfurl in the glass. Rose petal, sage, rosemary, licorice and mint wrap around a core of dense red cherry and pomegranate-infused fruit. This is a decidedly plush, powerful Riserva. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, though, so readers need to be patient. Incense, tobacco and hints of game add the closing shades of complexity.
Where in the world does the magic happen?
Fratelli Cavallotto – Tenuta vitivinicola Bricco Boschis, Castiglione Falletto, Province of Cuneo, Italy
Red Blend | South Australia, Australia
Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Italy
Red Blend | South Australia, Australia
Red Blend | South Australia, Australia
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