The Main Event: Vietti Cru Baroli

Vietti's Luca Currado worked tirelessly to continually improve the quality of his wines, and Barolo's reputation as a whole. These Nebbiolos from the most coveted Crus seem to receive praise year after year, but the 2019 vintage is especially impressive. 

 

Aside from being a banner year in Piedmont, 2013 cemented a shift in Currado's philosophy—now, the Barolo lineup is nearly exclusively aged in large format botti as opposed to small French barrique. (The Ravera was the first bottling to undergo this change in 2010, and the powerful Villero was the last in the range to do so in 2013).

 

Many consider Vietti to have one foot in the traditional camp and one foot in the modern camp. In addition to aging in botti, the Baroli see long skin macerations (a requisite for the traditional category). If one aspect leans modern, it's their vineyard work, which is about keeping yields low and doing everything in their power by natural means to push ripeness higher. With the enviable lineup of vineyards, Vietti's lineup is always among the most collected in Piedmont.