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
95
"The 2017 Barolo Cannubi is enveloping and sensual right out of the gate. At the same time, it has plenty of tannic underpinning, which gives shape and real sense of direction. Like all the 2017s here, the Cannubi is decidedly mid weight in feel. Spice, leather, sweet pipe tobacco and subtle earthy notes linger. The Cannubi balances fruit intensity with a classic sense of structure. I can't wait to see how it ages." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
97
"The 2017 Barolo Cannubi is a beauty, thanks to the sheer depth and complexity delivered in what surely was a challenging vintage with spring frost and a summer heat drought. Cannubi did not fare well in 2017 for some who farm there, but this estate shows a magic touch that sets it above the rest. The bouquet is redolent of wild cassis, blueberry, lilac, pressed violets and orange peel and crushed limestone. The aromas are feathered and fine, and the wine continues to the palate with a delicate sense of power and sharpness that is unique to this bottle. The tannins are still tight, and Cannubi needs extra time in the cellar. This is a standout sensation made in 2017." -Robert Parker
Decanter
D
96
"With its easterly exposure - among the freshest sites within Cannubi - on a soil of white marl and sandstone layers, this Barolo maintains the elegance of the MGA even in a dry vintage such as 2017. It's another milestone for Fabio Alessandria. An overt minty note with cocoa powder, pomegranate, rose and balsamic tones is followed by confected, almost stone fruit flavours, with liquorice on the finish. Silky, velvety tannins are accompanied by delicate, refreshing acidity and a full body."
Details
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Grape Variety
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Vintage
2017
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Size
750ml
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Sweetness
Dry
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Body
Full Bodied