Vinous (94)

Bright red. The intense note of violet on the nose is absolutely captivating and nicely lifts the aromas of sweet red cherry and aromatic oils. Then very rich, dense and juicy, conveying a seamless quality to its multilayered orchard fruit, spicy red berry and mineral flavors. The exhilarating finish echoes with lingering and repeating floral and mineral notes nicely extended by lipsmacking but harmonious acidity. Classic vintages such as the 2013 really showcase Il Marroneto’s magnificent terroir to its fullest capacity; in these vintages, talented Alessandro Mori produces sleek, refined Brunellos that are true benchmarks of Sangiovese in Montalcino. Very well done.

Wine Advocate (97)

Sangiovese-whisperer Alessandro Mori has delivered another superstar wine with the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna Delle Grazie. The bouquet is detailed and fine with bright accents of fragrant red rose, red currant, cola, licorice, grilled herb and crushed white peppercorn. The bouquet is loose, light and buoyant, with a smooth and natural progression of building aromas. The mouthfeel, however, is direct, important and determined. It's that playful juxtaposition between the wine's soft side and its stern side that makes this such an interesting and sensational wine to drink. Only 5,993 bottles were produced, and that's the bad news.

Decanter (96)

The harvest date returned once more to that of tradition, commencing on 23 September – whereas these days it usually begins around 3 September. This could therefore be considered a fresh if not cool vintage, yet the long growing season helped the extraction of velvety tannins, concentrated on the mid-palate. The structure, combined with bright cassis notes, a core of cherry and crystallised violet, and savoury minerality on the finish, will keep the wine in good shape for the long haul.

Decanter (96)

The harvest date returned once more to that of tradition, commencing on 23 September – whereas these days it usually begins around 3 September. This could therefore be considered a fresh if not cool vintage, yet the long growing season helped the extraction of velvety tannins, concentrated on the mid-palate. The structure, combined with bright cassis notes, a core of cherry and crystallised violet, and savoury minerality on the finish, will keep the wine in good shape for the long haul.

Vinous (94)

The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is a great introduction to the vintage at La Spinetta. Gallina tends to give open, soft Barbarescos that drink well young. Not here. The 2013 is unusually bright, tense and focused for this wine, with darker fruit and more tightly wound personality than I am used to seeing. Dark red cherry, mint, wild flowers and spices come together, but the 2013 is going to need time to fully come together. Even today, though, it is striking. There is a spherical breadth to the 2013 that is impossible to miss.

Vinous (94)

The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is a great introduction to the vintage at La Spinetta. Gallina tends to give open, soft Barbarescos that drink well young. Not here. The 2013 is unusually bright, tense and focused for this wine, with darker fruit and more tightly wound personality than I am used to seeing. Dark red cherry, mint, wild flowers and spices come together, but the 2013 is going to need time to fully come together. Even today, though, it is striking. There is a spherical breadth to the 2013 that is impossible to miss.

Vinous (94+)

La Spinetta fans won't want to miss the 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi, but readers will have to be patient, as the Starderi is going to need time. The only question is how much. Classic bright red fruit notes typical of Starderi are matched by equally characteristic, imposing tannins that need time to soften. Linear, taut and pulsing with energy, the 2013 is full of potential for those who can wait.

Vinous (94+)

La Spinetta fans won't want to miss the 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi, but readers will have to be patient, as the Starderi is going to need time. The only question is how much. Classic bright red fruit notes typical of Starderi are matched by equally characteristic, imposing tannins that need time to soften. Linear, taut and pulsing with energy, the 2013 is full of potential for those who can wait.

Vinous (93+)

The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.

Vinous (93+)

The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.

Vinous (94+)

La Spinetta's 2013 Barolo Campè is bright, intense and driven, with beams of acidity and tannin that give the wine its shape. In 2013, the Campè offers a good bit of tension and overall structure that works to balance the overt fruit that is such a Spinetta signature. Even so, the palate feel is one of creaminess and supple texture, which makes this a rare 2013 that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, rose petal and anise meld into the super-expressive finish. This is another impressive Barolo from La Spinetta. The 2013 was aged in a combination of cask, new French oak and used French oak.

Vinous (97)

Deep red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, strawberry, tea leaf and crushed stone are lifted by a lovely violet topnote. Bright, dense and juicy, this features lively, harmonious acidity extending the very precise, pure, multilayered flavors of red currant, sweet spices and red cherry on the long vibrant finish. A really beautiful wine. Bravi! Real Italian wine experts know that Le Chiuse owns vineyards in one of the best areas for Sangiovese in all of Montalcino; for example, it is from this area that Biondi-Santi sourced its Sangiovese grapes for many of its famous Brunello Riservas.

James Suckling (98)

Wow. This is the best syrah in Tuscany this year with incredible depth and beauty. The texture is so plush yet polished and caressing. Full body. The finish of chocolate, hazelnuts, smoked meat and fruit lasts for minutes. Drink or hold. Pure syrah.

James Suckling (98)

This is intense and complex yet subtle with fantastic aromas of rose petal, plum, clove and fresh mushroom. Hints of stems. Full body, focused and polished with a linear line of tannins and fabulous length. A beauty. Better after 2021 but already a joy to taste.

James Suckling (97)

The beauty and polish to this are very impressive on the nose and the palate. Blackberry, blueberry and sandalwood character. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and an elegant finish. So crafted and fine. Drink in 2020.

Vinous (97+)

The 2013 Barolo Aleste is a wine of striking purity and nuance. It is also one of the most finessed, vivid young Barolos I have ever tasted from Sandrone. The translucence of Nebbiolo comes through loud and clear. Freshly cut flowers, mint and finely cut fruit are some of the signatures. This wine has developed beautifully in recent vintages as the oak influence is less than it was just a few years ago. Beams of tannin and bright, salivating acidity add finesse to this translucent, exceptional Barolo. Aleste is the new name Sandrone is using for the Barolo formerly known as Cannubi Boschis.

Vinous (98)

Sandrone's 2013 Barolo Le Vigne is a real stunner. Powerful, ample and deep, the 2013 exudes class from start to finish. The addition of Serralunga fruit in the blend has added depth and structure in all of the wine's dimensions. Dark red cherry, plum, mint, rose petal, tar and licorice build into the huge, voluptuous finish. Readers who can find the 2013 should not hesitate, as it is outrageously beautiful and also one of the clear wines of the vintage. Vineyard sites are Baudana, Villero, Vignane and Merli.

Vinous (98)

Sandrone's 2013 Barolo Le Vigne is a real stunner. Powerful, ample and deep, the 2013 exudes class from start to finish. The addition of Serralunga fruit in the blend has added depth and structure in all of the wine's dimensions. Dark red cherry, plum, mint, rose petal, tar and licorice build into the huge, voluptuous finish. Readers who can find the 2013 should not hesitate, as it is outrageously beautiful and also one of the clear wines of the vintage. Vineyard sites are Baudana, Villero, Vignane and Merli.

Wine Advocate (100)

Here it is: the newest creation to emerge from the talented hands of Luciano Sandrone and his family. To be released in 2019, the 2013 Barolo Vite Talin is a wine born from a single vine. They noticed one plant that behaved differently than the others. It produced dark and concentrated fruit. Unlike common Nebbiolo, its leaves showed shallow sinuses between the lobes. Its vigor was different, producing fewer very loose clusters with small berry and seed size. The Sandrone family first noticed this vine in 1987 and named it Talin (a dialect version of the Italian name Natale) after the farmer who originally had the vine. For years, they vinified fruit from this vine separately in order to study its progress. They had a hunch that this mysterious vine was indeed genetically Nebbiolo, and they eventually received confirmation of this from the University of Turin. With this, they earn the right to call this wine Barolo. The massal selection is from Le Coste, and Barolo now results in less than one hectare of vines (6,000 square meters) and less than 2,000 bottles produced per year. This first vintage celebrates the 40th anniversary of the estate (1978-2018). The wine opens to an intense, dark color with extra pulp, power and structure in the mouth. The tannins are soft and rich. The wine is fermented in oak with maceration times that range from 20 to 25 days. It is then aged in tonneaux for two years before going into oval-shaped bottles for another two years before its commercial release. In total, it completes six years of aging at the winery. This is a game changer for the Sandrone family and for Barolo. What I find fascinating is that Barolo Talin takes us away from the discussion of vineyards and crus. It reminds us that the Nebbiolo grape is ultimately what is behind every great Barolo that we love. This wine takes us to the heart of Nebbiolo.

Vinous (92)

The 2013 Barolo Terlo is a very pretty and expressive entry-level Barolo from Einaudi. Ample, generous and inviting, the 2013 possesses striking richness and intensity. A host of dark cherry, plum, spice, blood orange and pomegranate hit the palate in a forward, powerful Barolo endowed with considerable fruit as well as structural intensity. Far from an easy going, entry-level Barolo, the Terlo possesses serious depth. Rose petal, menthol, sage and tobacco infuse the exotic finish.

Crafted by talented winemaker Marco Marengo in Italy's prestigious Piedmont region, the Marengo Barolo 2013 is an embodiment of finesse and strength. Harvested from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard, this exquisite Barolo boasts 100% Nebbiolo grapes, aged in oak barrels for 24 months, this wine is a testament to Marengo's passion for maintaining traditional methods.

This exalted vino paints a vivid ruby red in the glass, as it opens up, you'll find an elegant nose of truffle, ripe fruits, and rose petals seductively weaving into your senses. Using these unique Nebbiolo grapes, results in a finely balanced Barolo featuring polished tannins and giving way to a lasting, refined finish.

The Marengo family has a rich heritage in winemaking, spanning four generations. Today, Marco honours this lineage by presenting wines like Marengo Barolo 2013, which magnificently captures his attention to detail, and his unwavering commitment to quality. As this worldly recognised wine continues to age, its complexity will only further unravel, promising an unfading charm.

Indulge in the perfection of the Marengo Barolo Bricco Violeo 2013, a masterpiece from the legendary Barolo region in Italy. Impeccably crafted by the esteemed Marengo family, each bottle exudes their centuries-old dedication to viticultural excellence. Harvested from a unique microclimate found solely on the family's Bricco Viole cru, this Nebbiolo embodies pure delicacy and precision.

The winemaking procedure is a feat of tradition and innovation. A quintessential classic, this wine undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 15 days. It's then aged in Slovenian oak barrels and French barriques for 24 riveting months, after which it's transferred to bottle for at least six additional months. This unique process gives the Marengo Barolo Bricco Violeo 2013 its distinct taste profile.

The result is a rich, full-bodied wine, boasting a seductive bouquet of beeswax, tar and rose hips, culminating into a spectrum of spicy notes, dark fruit, and lingering aftertaste, offering an extraordinary wine experience.

Vinous (99)

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna delle Grazie pulls you close and holds your attention with a wildly perfumed and hauntingly seductive bouquet, boasting an intense array of wild strawberry, currants, waxy rose and licorice. There are depths of plush texture, dark and rich, yet with stimulating acidity to balance, and saturating mineral-tinged red fruits and spices that cascade across the palate. This leaves you with cheek-puckering tension, chiseled structure and tart red berry concentration that seems like it could go on for days. The 2013 is dense and youthfully poised, yet aching to explode. This is just a baby today, but the potential is off the charts. The Riserva is a special, single-barrel selection made by Alessandro Mori. While this was the first opportunity to taste the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna delle Grazie, the wine was originally released in 2019.

James Suckling (98)

Aromas of blueberries, violets and roses turn to black truffles. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and great length. So gorgeous and persistent. It goes on for minutes.

James Suckling (98)

Aromas of blueberries, violets and roses turn to black truffles. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and great length. So gorgeous and persistent. It goes on for minutes.

James Suckling (98)

Aromas of blueberries, violets and roses turn to black truffles. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and great length. So gorgeous and persistent. It goes on for minutes.

Vinous (94)

The 2013 Barolo Parussi, the only Massolino Barolo made from Castiglione Falletto fruit, is also the most accessible of the single-vineyard Barolos. All the Parussi signatures of bright red fruit, flowers and citrus are present, but they are amped by the unnaturally low yields of the year in this site that also give the wine more mid-palate plushness and power than is typically the case. Orange peel, herbs, mint, licorice, crushed flowers and sweet red cherry build in an exotic, beguiling Barolo full of personality. The 2013 Parussi has been alluring every time I have tasted it.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Hailing from one of the most celebrated vineyards in the entire denomination, this focused beauty boasts layers of complexity and depth, starting with its classic Nebbiolo aromas of forest floor, new leather, violet and wild berry. Balanced and firmly structured, the palate shows tension, power and elegance, delivering succulent Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, tobacco and licorice alongside firm, aristocratic tannins. It's still young but already beautifully balanced, with bright acidity.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

All you need is a few swirls of the glass to release the perfumed aromas of wild berry, forest floor, new leather and crushed herb. The palate shows precision and finesse, offering red cherry, cranberry, baking spice and tobacco set against taut refined tannins and bright acidity. It's still youthfully austere but will bloom with more bottle aging.

Wine Spectator (95)

An essence of sweet cherry grounds the surrounding flavors of leather, iron, spice and tobacco in this firm red, which remains vibrant and refined. Bracing acidity and dense, muscular tannins play out on the long finish.