FONTANAFREDDA
PIEDMONT, ITALY 2019
Why Buy: A pair of exceptional 95-point Barolos from a 2019 vintage that Wine Spectator called “exemplary,” with grapes of near-perfect phenolic ripeness. These are Barolos of great balance, depth, and nuance that get better as the minutes turn to hours. And at only 50 cases imported, and at these excellent price points ($150 and $100, respectively), we can assure you: they’re not going to stick around here for long.
What They're Saying: The critics are buzzing, and for good reason. Wine Spectator lauded the Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Villa Paiagallo 2019 as “rich and harmonious," noting how "the fruit matches the tannins step for step on the finish," achieving "excellent balance" and impressive "length." Not to be outdone, its sibling, the Fontanafredda Barolo Lazzarito Vigna La Delizia 2019, impressed with its "vivid and alluring aromatics and flavors" of "rose, strawberry, cherry, licorice and underbrush." It's a wine "stitched with dense tannins that flex themselves on the long finish."
Our Tasting Notes: The Vigna La Villa Paiagallo 2019 unfolds on the palate with a captivating interplay of fruit and tannin. It's a wine that demands attention, rewarding patience with layers of flavor that evolve in the glass. The Lazzarito Vigna La Delizia 2019, meanwhile, is a veritable symphony of aromatics. Each sip reveals new dimensions – from bright fruit to earthy undertones – all nimbly knitted by those Nebbiolo tannins.
The Story: The iconic Fontanafredda knows a thing or two about prestige and nobility. After all, this is a winery that was, quite literally, anointed. Yes, really. In 1858, the first King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, acquired 52 hectares of land at Fontanafredda, in the beautiful hills of the the Langhe region, establishing a love nest to spend time with his beloved, Bella Rosaina, and to enjoy good food and good wine. Two decades later, his son Emanuele opened a winery on the property — thus setting Fontanafredda on a course that would culminate in the estate's being crowned "European Winery of the Year" in 2007 by Wine Enthusiast and no less an eminence than Robert Parker lauding it as "one of the great names of Piedmontese winemaking." In the ensuing years, this Piedmontese producer has only burnished its considerable reputation. Today, under the direction of winemaker Danilo Drocco, it is putting out some of the best and most widely-acclaimed wines in the entire region, led by their single-vineyard Barolo DOCG Riserva. Derived from Nebbiolo grown in the optimal soil and sun of the Piedmont, the wines are matured for approximately three years in barriques in the estate's 19th century cellars, and then another 12 months in bottle prior to release.
The Specs: The grapes, 100% Nebbiolo, are hand-harvested from single vineyards – Vigna La Villa in the Paiagallo M.G.A. and Vigna La Delizia in the Lazzarito M.G.A. After careful selection, the grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation, followed by an extended maceration to extract maximum flavor and structure. The wines then embark on their three-year journey through oak, resting in a combination of large Slavonian casks and smaller French barriques. This patient aging allows the wines to develop their characteristic complexity while maintaining the pure expression of their unique terroirs.
What to Pair Them With: Serve them alongside a hearty brasato al Barolo or a truffle-laden risotto. But don't shy away from just pouring a glass to savor all on its own – these wines are experiences in themselves, perfect for contemplative sipping and watching the flavors unfold over an evening.
Fun Fact: Fontanafredda isn't just making great wine – it’s making history. In 2018, it became the largest certified organic winery in all of Piedmont.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2025). 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, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, September 30th, 2024.