DAMILANO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
WHY BUY: The best value in Barolo is back, with a 95-point Lecinquevigne 2022 and a 96-pt Cannubi under $100 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 96-point Cannubi 2021 impressed James Suckling as "a remarkably elegant wine showing licorice, red currant, mint and balsamic notes.” The Brunate 2020 and the Liste 2019, called to him, too, with their nuanced noses and admirable structures (a "fascinating combo of tar, iron, leather and tart red fruits,” he wrote of the “brawny” former, while hailing the “balanced” latter for its "memorable aroma" of "strawberries, raspberries and a spicy perfume of orange peel and star anise").
OUR TASTING NOTES: Damilano is where modernity (fruit-forwardness and precision) meets tradition (classicism, restraint). The result is Barolo that feels both ageworthy and approachable from the moment you uncork it. The hallmarks come through across the entire range: an aromatic clarity that makes each glass feel a little brighter than expected, tannins that have presence without weight, and an underlying tension that gives the wines a kind of nervy energy. The Cannubi sites, the family's crown jewels, bring the distinctive elegance that has made the hill famous since long before anyone in the New World was thinking about wine, while the other crus reveal their own personalities: Brunate is the more brooding; Liste, the more lifted. What ties them all together is a winemaking sensibility that trusts the fruit and respects the place.
THE STORY: You could say that the story 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, expanding 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 all of Italy, if not the world. Its unique soil composition (a mix of Tortonian and Helvetian soils) combined with its perfect exposure, produces wines of uncommon elegance and complexity.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:The Barolos call for lusty, long-simmered Italian cooking: a slow-braised beef brasato, say, or an osso buco. The Arneis will pair beautifully with a seafood antipasti or a plate of grilled vegetables, while the Nebbiolo and Lecinquevigne are ideal with anything from pasta with butter and sage to braised pork shoulder to roast chicken with herbs.
FUN FACT: The name Nebbiolo derives from the word nebbia, Italian for “fog," which is a constant presence during harvest in Piedmont, hovering over the region’s many vineyards.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only source directly from the producer to ensure that you bottles arrive as they should, and as you deserve: with pristine provenance guaranteed. 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 2026 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th. 2027). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. 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. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. See individual items for additional state exclusions. This offer will expire on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026.