Borgogno Barolo Classico 2020

This Barolo is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, the sole varietal of the wine. In the glass, it shows a ruby red color that may include garnet highlights or a slightly rusty red core. The wine’s aromatic profile is complex and plentiful, offering notes of dried Morello cherry, black tea, and lush red roses, along with camphor and tobacco. Other notes include pine forest, violet, rose hip, dark spice, juicy raspberry, and wild strawberry. On the palate, it is full-bodied, bold, and driven by a core of dark fruit and spice. It is characterized by stern, persistent, and robust tannins which are well-balanced by warmth and freshness. Stylistic notes include an outstanding purity and balance, delivering warmth, structure, and freshness, with a long, slightly astringent finish. The grapes for the Borgogno Barolo Classico are organically grown. The optimal drinking window for this vintage is generally suggested from now until 2042.

Accolades

• Jeb Dunnuck – 97 points

• Kerin O’Keefe – 95 points

• James Suckling – 93 points

Food Pairing

This full-bodied and intense Barolo is excellent with hearty and rich dishes. Suggested pairings include red meat main courses, such as fillet with green pepper, Florentina steak, or grilled ribeye. It pairs beautifully with braised meat, wild game, or osso bucco. Dishes featuring mushrooms, such as mushroom stew or tagliatelle with mushrooms, are also great complements. For cheeses, pair it with hard, matured, or long-aged varieties like Castelmagno or Pecorino. A perfect match to enhance the wine’s complexity.

Vintage Quality

The 2020 Barolo vintage is considered very good to excellent, exhibiting great poise, elegant fruit concentration, and promising aging potential. A mild, dry winter and sunny spring led to an early start to the vegetative cycle, but a cool, wet May slowed ripening and replenished essential soil moisture. Warm summer temperatures were moderated by regular rain showers, sustaining hydration, followed by sunny and mild weather in September and early October, which allowed gradual, excellent ripening of the Nebbiolo grapes. The wines of this vintage show intense red fruit profiles, with supple, fresh, and round tannins, which is a testament to the overall quality.