Elegant, Single-Vineyard Barolos! Ready to Drink NOW!

 

WHY BUY: "Prunotto has brought its Barolos to the prestigious heights that include Angelo Gaja, Giacomo Conterno and Domenico Clerico. It’s a classy place to be.” So declared the esteemed critic John Mariani in 2019, and this trio of Barolos proves exactly why this longtime favorite from the Langhe (part of the distinguished Antinori family of wines) deserves a spot in that rarefied company. Two of these are single-vineyard wines that showcase the very best of what this storied region can produce: the Cerretta 2019 and the Barolo Bussia 2020, the latter from the revered Bussia vineyard in Monforte d'Alba, one of Barolo's most celebrated sub-regions. And here’s what makes this offer even more irresistible: all three are hitting their drinking window right now, which means you get to experience that magical moment when Barolo's notorious tannins have softened just enough to reveal the complexity and elegance within.

OUR TASTING NOTES: These wines embody everything magnificent about Nebbiolo at its peak. We love their aristocratic bearing, and even more the fact that that lordliness is more than borne out by the drinking experience. The aromatics alone are captivating, with roses, tar, dried herbs, and forest floor teasing what’s to come. On the palate, these are Piedmontese through and through, with powerful tannins that grip without overwhelming, a gentle (but unmistakable) acidity that keeps everything in balance, and layers upon layers of gorgeous dark fruit. For all the size and depth, there’s an unmistakable elegance here, the Prunotto signature, and one that has endeared it to collectors and connoisseurs for generations.

THE STORY: Sometimes the best stories begin with near-disasters. Back in 1904, a winemaking co-op called "Ai Vini delle Langhe" was born in the council room of Serralunga's Town Hall, with a young Alfredo Prunotto serving as witness to the proceedings. These early decades were nothing storybook, however. They were brutal: World War I devastated the region, members began defecting, and by 1922 the co-op was headed for liquidation. Enter Alfredo and his new bride Luigina, who looked at this crumbling enterprise and saw, inexplicably, opportunity. They bought the whole operation, affixed their name to it, and began the slow work of building a reputation that would eventually span continents. By the 1960s, they were pioneering single-vineyard bottlings before anyone called them “crus.” When, in 1994, the Antinori family assumed control — a winemaking family, by the way, that has been at it since Leonardo was first tinkering — they took over more than a successful venture. They claimed a veritable legend.

WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: These wines demand food as big and bold as they are. Think braised short ribs, wild boar ragu, a cheese board adorned with hunks of well-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and nearly anything topped with truffles. The tannins and acidity make them natural partners for rich and lusty dishes.

FUN FACT: Prunotto was among the first Piedmont wineries to export internationally, shipping Barolo and Barbaresco to South America and the United States when those markets had just opened to foreign trade. In other words, among all their other many accomplishments, they were one of the early pioneers of global wine commerce.

OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your bottles and cases will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Order yours today!