Barolo 2011: Ian D’Agata’s top wines
Barolo 2011 was a hot vintage characterised by a very early harvest and low yields. Read Ian D'Agata's report and his top 12 wine choices from the vintage.
The Barolo 2011 vintage was characterised by a very early harvest and lower than usual yields. The growing season got off to an early start thanks to higher than usual temperatures in April, and all phases of grape development (budbreak, flowering, colour change and harvest) occurred at least two – and more often three – weeks ahead of normal yearly averages.
In 2011 there is no single commune that stood out: in fact, there are noteworthy differences in quality within the same producer’s Barolo portfolio. As each site has its own specific requirements (due to various factors such as vine age, rootstock, exposure, slope gradient, and the physical/chemical soil characteristics), making the right viticultural decisions at the right time for each was of paramount importance in 2011.
Ian D’Agata’s top Barolo 2011 wines:
Aldo Conterno, Bussia Romirasco, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
One of the great crus of Barolo gives a very good account of itself despite the heat rich, dense, classic Barolo offering elegance in spades.
2011
Aldo ConternoBarolo
Bartolo Mascarello, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
93
Perhaps the most refined 2011 Barolo precise, mineral, complex and, atypically for the vintage, still closed.
2011
Bartolo MascarelloBarolo
Brezza, Sarmassa, Barolo, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
Pure, mineral, rich and classic everything a great Barolo ought to be. The Il Bricco, Sarmassa Riserva is even better, but made in small quantities.
2011
BrezzaBarolo
Elvio Cogno, Ravera, Barolo, Novello, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
The hot 2011 vintage was one of the winery's earliest harvests (28 September) after the torrid 2003. Fissore increased the maceration time to 45 days,...
2011
Elvio CognoBarolo
Giacomo Conterno, Cascina Francia, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
93
No Monfortino was made in 2011, so what you get is an even greater than usual Francia silky suave, long and pure.
2011
Giacomo ConternoBarolo
Giuseppe Rinaldi, Tre Tine, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
From a recognised master of Barolo, another winner - long, pure and silky, it’s hard to put the glass down.
2011
Giuseppe RinaldiBarolo
Sandrone, Le Vigne, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
A blend of vineyards (including, for the first time ever, the famous Villero cru), this is a simply standout wine rich, dense and classy. Unforgettable.
2011
SandroneBarolo
Luigi Pira, Vignarionda, Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
One of the greatest Barolo crus of all comes through in a difficult vintage fleshy yet suave, with multilayered flavours and a complex, long finish....
2011
Luigi PiraBarolo
Paolo Scavino, Monvigliero, Barolo, Verduno, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
Herbs and sweet spices mingle with rose and red cherry. Beautifully aromatic. Also look for the special 90th anniversary Barolo, made in small quantities by...
2011
Paolo ScavinoBarolo
Roberto Voerzio, Brunate, Barolo, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
93
Concentrated but refined, tannic and powerful. A great Voerzio wine.
2011
Roberto VoerzioBarolo
Trediberri, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
93
Pure and precise, with lovely floral lift and red cherry sweetness.
2011
TrediberriBarolo
GD Vajra, Ravera, Barolo, Novello, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
A lesser known bottling from Vajra, who bought land in Novello a little while ago. A typical Novello Barolo brooding, shy, tannic. Needs time.
2011
GD VajraBarolo
Elvio Cogno, Ravera, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2011
Atypically for 2011, a brooding, stony, concentrated Barolo that will require cellaring and will prove ageworthy.
2011
Elvio CognoBarolo
