Virna Borgogno, 'Noi', Barolo, Italy, 2021 (a top value)

Overview of the Wine
The village of Barolo is located in the heart of the Langhe, the most prestigious wine-making area in Italy’s Piedmont region.

The Borgogno family lives and works right here in Barolo, managing their own “Virna” estate.

A descendant of one of the most famous Langhe families, Virna Borgogno is the first woman in Italy to complete a degree in oenology and oenological techniques. In 1988, she joined her father Lodovico in managing the cellar.

The Borgogno vineyards date from 1720, while the modern estate was founded in 1950 by Enrico Borgogno. Nowadays, Virna and her sister Ivana have taken the reins of the estate wholly in hand, with Ivana looking after the administrative and marketing side of the business. In 2001, the estate was rebranded with the new “Virna” logo to reflect the major role played by women in the business. 

Winemaker
Virna Borgogno

Grape / Blend
100% Nebbiolo (subvarieties Lampia and Michet)

Origin
Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Intense ruby red with garnet highlights; full, intense nose, tertiary notes with red fruit leading vanilla, cocoa and spices. Full-flavoured and austere with balanced, supple tannins. Recommended serving temperature: 17 - 18°C in tasting glasses.

93 Points - James Suckling
Aromas of sage, sliced plums, black cherries and aromatic herbs. The palate is firm with upfront fruit and a polished yet imposing tannin structure. Attractive freshness. This should evolve into a very pleasant Barolo. Best after 2028. 

93 Points - Wine Advocate
This is a blend of fruit from La Morra (Rocche dell'Annunziata), Monforte d'Alba (San Giovanni and Perno) and Novello (Cerviano Merli and Sottocastello di Novello). The spirit of the wine is to find a vintage-appropriate blend that shows the house style. The Virna Borgogno 2021 Barolo Noi offers aromas of dark fruit, rusty nail, tobacco and pressed flowers. It ends on a savory note and delivers tight tannins that are a few years off from full resolution. 12,000 bottles were made.

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Barolo Noi is a bit volatile on opening, with lifted notes of tarry earth coming forward and ripe notes of licorice, black cherries, and resinous herbs unfolding underneath. The palate offers more clarity, with ripe notes of preserved cherries, refined, ripe tannins, even acidity, and a refreshing energy propelling through the finish. Give it another year in bottle to settle down and drink over the coming 10-12 years.

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
A Barolo that means business, leading with candied cherries and red licorice before revealing subtle layers of bay leaf and forest floor. The palate dives deeper with dark fruits, anise, and coffee notes. Fine tannins and that signature Barolo acidity provide the backbone. "Noi" (meaning "us" in Italian) lives up to its name, a wine you can really sink your teeth into. 

Product size: 750ml