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Luciano Sandrone, Barolo Le Vigne, 1996

Red Wine from Piedmont, Italy
by Luciano Sandrone
$279.00
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1996 was a legendary classical vintage in Piedmont, and Le Vigne is Sandrone's tribute to the old Langhe tradition of blending Nebbiolo across crus — a single Barolo drawn from multiple vineyard parcels to capture the range of the appellation. Luciano Sandrone founded his estate in 1978; Le Vigne itself was first released with the 1990 vintage and became one of Barolo's most celebrated modern-master producers; he passed away in 2023, with daughter Barbara and brother Luca continuing the work. The Le Vigne sourcing has shifted over the decades (today it draws from Baudana in Serralunga, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in Barolo, and Merli in Novello), but the cuvée's intent has always been the same: a Barolo that maps the whole zone. At 29 years on, the 1996 sits in its full mature window — structure resolved, perfume fully open, tertiary depth in command.

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Antonio Galloni

96 points

"The 1996 Barolo Le Vigne is exceptionally vivid, especially in the aromatics, which are really popping today. Bright red stone fruit, raspberry jam, exotic flowers, mint and French oak are all woven together in a Barolo of exquisite finesse and class. The 1996 is just beginning to show the first signs of tertiary aromatics. While it won't last forever, the 1996 is absolutely gorgeous today. Time in the glass brings out power and depth, but within the context of the vintage, the 1996 is a wine of refinement and brightness." —Antonio Galloni

Robert Parker

92 points

"The dark ruby/purple-colored 1996 Barolo Le Vigne is an elegant, large-scaled Barolo with everything in balance. There is sweet tannin, and a measured yet powerful, rich style with copious amounts of black fruits intermixed with minerals, spice, and dried herbs. The wine is tight, and in need of 3-4 years of cellaring." —Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Decanter

96 points

"This brings together fruit from Sandrone's vineyards in Conterni and Ceretta in Montforte d’Alba, Vignane in Barolo and Merli in Novello. Each plot is vinified separately and aged in 500-litre French oak barrels before the selection for the final blend. Well-defined aromas of mint, cocoa, rosehip and tar emerge from the glass. The fruit is sweet on the entry becoming progressively savoury as it glides across the palate. Wrapped in layered, silky tannins and buoyed by appetising acidity, this has aged gracefully. It surely has another 7-8 years ahead of it but there is no reason not to crack a bottle today."

Wine Spectator

95 points

"Gorgeous. Displays incredible fruit on the nose, with masses of raspberry and flowers. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and loads of ripe fruit. Shows licorice, berries and light vanilla on the finish. Still very young.--1996 Piedmont retrospective. Best after 2008."

More about Luciano Sandrone

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Nebbiolo

  • Vintage

    1996

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Brasato al Barolo, agnolotti del plin in butter and sage, roast pheasant with porcini, aged Castelmagno, white truffle tajarin, herbed roast duck, slow-braised short ribs.

Tasting Profile

Dried cherry, rose petal, leather, tar, white truffle, sweet tobacco, balsamic depth, sandalwood. Resolved tannins, classical 1996 acidity intact, layered tertiary core, very long savory finish.

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