Burlotto is the flagship producer from Barolo’s Verduno area. This is a property of enormous historic importance, fabulously delicious wines, and outstanding value.
The Commendatore Giovan Battista Burlotto, one of Barolo's great characters, founded the estate back in 1850. The labels still commemorate the royal house of Savoy’s fondness for Burlotto wines, as well as the winery’s exclusive presence on Duke Luigi Amedeo's 1899 North Pole expedition. The Duke lost two fingers to frostbite, but wrote to the Commendatore a year and a half into the trip that “[t]he wine has been conserved in perfect condition.” G.B. Burlotto was also a pioneer of selling wine in bottle (rather than in cask or demijohn), as well as a champion of a now-rare but still-ravishing grape, Pelaverga Piccolo.
Four generations later, G.B.’s great-great-nephew, Fabio Alessandria, has changed little at the winery, doing some of the crush by foot, fermenting the wine in upright wooden vats, using indigenous yeast and little temperature control. We love these wines for their history, but even more for their diversity, their pure fruit, delicate structure, and signature Verduno floral aromatics and spicy palate.
The family's single-vineyard Barolos, especially the culty Monvigliero, are some of Piedmont's most lauded wines, critical and collector favorites year-in and year-out. But they continue to make extraordinary wines for Piedmont's more humble grapes (including Dolcetto, Barbera and of course, that Pelaverga), wines that don't attempt to turn those grapes into Nebbiolo blockbusters but rather that show their unique charms and terroir transparency. The sheer drinkability of these "lesser" wines is is tremendous, and the pricing for such special bottles from such top-rank grower, is shockingly accessible.
Professional Reviews
Antonio Galloni
AG
100
"Burlotto’s 2013 Barolo Monvigliero is a wine I like to serve at dinners like this one, as I know most people may never taste it, which is a shame. Of course, the 2013 is young, but its profound greatness is evident in the early going, The interplay of aromatics, fruit and structure really brings out the stunning beauty of the Monvigliero cru. The 2013 is simply a phenomenal wine and a towering achievement from Fabio Alessandria." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
97
"The 2013 Barolo Monvigliero is indeed a special wine that excels in terms of elegance and ethereal momentum. It's impossible to ignore its charm and seductive powers. This wine was released one year ago, but the folks at Comm. G.B. Burlotto preferred not to send samples for review at that time. I was able to taste this beautiful wine during my visit to the estate this year. This vintage of Monvigliero glides smooth and high over the senses, imparting fine notes of cassis, wild berry and anise seed. There is a lasting note of white truffle with tangy ginger and rhubarb. The wine offers volume and largess in the mouth with substantial textural fiber. The bright acidity adds energy and zest to the finish. This wine dances with the grace and muscle of a centerstage ballerina."
Decanter
D
99
"In the township of Verduno, Monvigliero has only recently been hailed as one of Barolo's finest crus, offering elegance over brawn. In this example, stems are included and the cap is submerged for two months. Winemaker Fabio Alessandria calls it an infusion rather than an extraction. It's impossible not to be moved by this utterly lovely, fascinating wine, redolent of cherry, lavender blossom, orange peel and aromatic herbs. The extraordinary lightness of being is almost Pinot Noir-like."
Wine Spectator
WS
96
"A perfumed style, exuding rose, sandalwood, cedar and cherry aromas, joined on the palate by berry, tobacco and spice flavors, all matched to a light-weight, ethereal frame. Complex, building to a vibrant, mineral- and spice-tinged aftertaste"
Wine Enthusiast
WE
98
"Always the firm's showstopper and one of the best expressions of this celebrated vineyard, the 2013 doesn't disappoint. It opens with alluring scents of wild red berry, Alpine herb, truffle, graphite and new leather while the dazzling palate boasts Marasca cherry, clove, cinnamon, tobacco and a balsamic note. It already shows remarkable finesse and complexity but still needs years to develop to its full and impressive potential."