DAMILANO
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2022
WHY BUY: The best value in Barolo is back, with a trio of 95-pointers that stunned us in managing to pack in so much depth, length, and finesse for the price. Damilano's approach is to marry careful cultivation with a deep respect for terroir, resulting in modern-style Barolos that offer both intensity and lift — and the fact they manage to do it for less is nothing short of astonishing. We don't know how they do it — only that we hope they keep continuing to do it. Folks, if ever there were a time to be thinking cases and not bottles, this is it.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: The Wine Advocate awarded 95 points to the Barolo Cerequio 2019, praising its "pretty intensity of the bouquet” and calling it "a classic Nebbiolo” that "delivers its charming aromas with lifted brightness. Cerequio shows a lot of energy in this vintage." James Suckling granted the same 95-point score to both the Barolo Cannubi 2019, a “captivating,” “succulent,” and "extremely long and persistent” wine, and the Barolo Lecinquevigne 2021, "a fine-tuned, elegant Barolo" of "smoothness, density, weight and soft tannins despite the structure, with refreshing acidity and a long, vibrant finish full of savory flavors."
THE STORY: The tale of Damilano is, in many ways, the story of Barolo itself. Founded in 1890 by Giuseppe Borgogno, the winery has been a fixture in the Langhe for over 130 years. It was Giacomo Damilano, Giuseppe's son-in-law, who took the reins in 1935 and truly put the winery on the map, transforming it into one of the jewels of the region. Today, the winery is helmed by Giacomo's grandchildren: Paolo, Mario, and Guido. Under their stewardship, Damilano has continued to evolve while staying true to its roots. They've expanded their holdings to include some of Barolo's most prestigious sites, including a significant portion of the famed Cannubi hill. Cannubi itself is steeped in history. Records of its reputation for exceptional wines date back to 1752, making it one of the oldest recognized vineyards in Italy, if not the world. Its unique soil composition (a mix of Tortonian and Helvetian soils) along with its perfect exposure, creates wines of uncommon elegance and complexity. And while Damilano has always prided itself on honoring time-tested techniques, it has shown that it is not afraid to experiment and push for new thinking when it serves a particular wine or vintage, a flexibility that is key to its staying power.
OUR TASTING NOTES: The Wine Advocate singled out the Cerequio 2019 for its “lifted brightness” — and whoa, they're not kidding. There’s so much energy in the glass, and you’re reminded that wine is a living, breathing thing. Young Barolos can sometimes come across as austere, but not this one; it’s already robust, developed, and rich. Only 2,700 bottles were produced, so you’re going to want to snatch this one up, STAT. The Cannubi 2019 is a total terroir wine, demonstrating why this vineyard was famous since long before the United States was even an inkling of an idea. Those extremely fine tannins that Suckling hailed — they run like silk thread through the entire drinking experience, making for a wine of suppleness and length, in which every element is deftly integrated. As for the Lecinquevigne 2021, it pulls off the nearly impossible: delivering smoothness, density, and weight while maintaining refreshing acidity. Drawn from five sites (Brunate, Liste, Cerequio, Cannubi, Raviole), wine vines ranging from 30-50 years old, it captures the best of each without ever coming across as pastiche. And we loved, loved, loved its long, vibrant, and savory finish.
FUN FACT: The Damilano family has sought to further cement its place in the gastronomic world with a Michelin-starred restaurant in La Morra, serving a rarefied version of the elemental, lusty cooking of the Piedmont.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and ship directly from the estate, to ensure pristine provenance. Secure your bottles and cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK, & TN. This offer will expire on Monday, October 20th, 2025.