Cavallotto, Vignolo Barolo Riserva, Piedmont, Italy, 2019

Overview of the Wine
On the periphery of the Castiglione Falletto township, centre of the Barolo area, crowning the Bricco Boschis hill, one comes upon the Tenuta Vitivinicola Cavallotto (the Cavallotto Vineyards) of 25 hectares of which 23 spread of vineyards.

Cavallotto Estate has been in the family for five generations and in 1948, the brothers Olivio and Gildo, who were continuing the work of their grandfather Giacomo, their father Giuseppe and their uncle Marcello, became the first people of the area to dedicate themselves to the production and trading of wines. These wines were obtained solely from the grapes of their own vineyards.

Olivio's offspring, Laura, Giuseppe, and Alfio continue to produce wine which is made exclusively from the estate's grapes and from the transformation of these they obtain DOC and DOCG: Barolo, Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba, Nebbiolo Langhe, Freisa Langhe, Grignolino Piedmonte, Pinot Langhe, Chardonnay Langhe.

Organic.

Winemakers
Alfio Cavallotto, Giuseppe Cavallotto, and Laura Cavallotto 

Grape / Blend
100% Nebbiolo

Origin
Piedmont, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
From this cru you get Barolo of good structure, elegant with immediately soft and sweet tannins. The scents, usually very intense and open, evolve from an intense spice fruit. The wine has an excellent aptitude for aging although already very enjoyable in youth, characterized by a great structure but at the same time elegant and complex. Initially fruity aromas then floral and then still spicy, open and intense. Generally of exceptional aptitude for aging.

Pairs with red meat in general, grilled or raw shellfish, grilled white meats, hard-grained or seasoned cheeses, chocolate.

100 Points - Kerin O'Keefe
The best Cavallotto Vignolo Riserva I've had to date, the 2019 is staggeringly stunning, starting with its heady aromas of pine forest, cedar, ripe red berry and spice. All about finesse and showing elegant restraint, the full-bodied, delicious palate delivers succulent Morello cherry, truffle, orange zest and pomegranate accented by white pepper and star anise. Tight, taut but fine-grained tannins provide great support while bright acidity keeps it balanced and fueled with vibrancy. What an absolutely gorgeous wine. (KO)

96 Points - Wine Advocate
The Cavallotto 2019 Barolo Riserva Vignolo (a certified organic wine) shows an earthy and savory side with the extra texture and concentration that is characteristic of this warm vintage. With fruit selected from a 1.96-hectare site with 40-year-old vines, the wine reveals a core of black and purple fruits, with dried plum and blackcurrant. It closes with powdery tannins. This Riserva ages for a long 60 months in 20-hectoliter and 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak casks. (ML)

95 Points - Vinous
The 2019 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a deep, sensual wine. Dark red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, blood orange and pomegranate all race across the palate. The aromatics are especially alluring, even if the Vignolo remains a bit less forthcoming on the palate. Kirsch, rose petal and mulling spice explode on the back end. This is the sort of Barolo that is a total turn-on with a bit of age. Actually, it already is. (AG) 95+

Product size: 750ml