2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Oddero 'Brunate' Barolo 4pk OWC

Winemaker Notes:

Location: La Morra, Plot 11, Sub-plot 414 Characteristics: 300 meters above sea level, southeastern exposure, 2.7 x 0.9 meters spacing, 4,500 vines/hectare density, Guyot upward-trained vertical-trellised training system.
Age: 50-60 years
Size: 0.4 hectares
Yield: 50 quintals/hectare

Production
2,000 bottles

Vinification
Scrupulous vine growing, done through the organic method since 2010. Careful manual selection of grapes, both in the vineyards and in the cellar by means of conveyor belt, gentle de-stemming and pressing. During the best vintages, the de-stemmng is carried out manually. Fermentation and maceration for approximately 25 days, at a constant temperature of 28° C. Malolactic fermentation follows in December.

Ageing
Ageing in 20 Hl oak barrels for about 30 months. Bottling takes place at the end of the summer, with a further year of bottle ageing before release on the market.

Sensory characteristics
Ruby, tending towards garnet, with intense notes of roses and violets, accompanied by a touch of damp earth and ripe red fruit. Tannins which are very persistent, though soft, speak to an evolution which will take a long time to complete.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

2013


James Suckling - "Aromas of rose petals and rose stems with hints of white truffles and ripe strawberries. Full-bodied, chewy and rich with lots of tannins and fruit. Flavorful and long. Needs two or three years for it to start to resolve the tannins. Try in 2021."


Wine Enthusiast - "This opens with alluring red berry, menthol, new leather, star anise and crushed herb scents. It's elegantly structured, offering sour cherry, cranberry, licorice and sage flavors set against firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. A hint of orange zest closes the finish. Drink 2023–2033."

2014


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "A direct line of bright fruit shoots out from the bouquet, with flashes of candied cherry and raspberry and some cherry cough drop along with earthier tones at the back. I liked the sharp intensity of the 2014 Barolo Brunate with its pretty aromas of rose hip and flowers. This wine should age for a good 10-20 years. The fruit comes from 60-year-old vines. "


James Suckling - "Lots of herbs to this Barolo, as well elderflower, dried lavender and spices. The acidity is pretty edgy on the palate, but the fruit is all there."


Wine Spectator - "A mix of cherry, apple, licorice and tobacco flavors are the main themes in this sinewy red. Assertive tannins add support, along with lively acidity. Offers a persistent finish. Best from 2022 through 2035. 150 cases made. "


Wine Enthusiast - "Aromas of camphor, exotic spice, wild rose and a whiff of new leather shape the nose. The taut, somewhat austere palate evokes cranberry, sour cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside nervous acidity and tense, fine-grained tannins. Drink after 2024."

2015


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "I tasted theses single-vineyard Barolos in this order: Villero, Rocche di Castiglione, Brunate and Bussia. So the 2015 Barolo Brunate could be considered second to last in a list of increasing power and intensity. It is even more impressive than the previous expressions. Make no mistake, this is still a tight and compact expression that needs to unwind. It really needs some time to relax in the cellar, but when it does unfold to its true potential, this Barolo will be a real prize."


Vinous - "The 2015 Barolo Brunate is dark and powerful in the glass. Black cherry, plum, mocha, leather and licorice give the Brunate much of its density and overall richness. This dense, packed Barolo needs at least a few years to unwind, but it is hugely promising. There is just so much going on here. Brunate is Oddero's smallest parcel, and, as a result, the wine shows a bit more oak influence than most of the other Barolos. Amazingly, the Brunate was used for the straight Barolo until 2015! "


Wine Spectator - "Ripe cherry and plum aromas and flavors are shaded by eucalyptus and tobacco notes in this broad, mouthfilling red. Suave and solidly built, with dusty tannins lining the finish. Shows fine harmony and length. Best from 2023 through 2042. 150 cases made."


James Suckling - "This offers bright and attractive red cherries on the nose, as well as a swathe of dried mountain herbs and cedary notes. The palate has a succulent, juicy and generous feel to it. Ripe but balanced Barolo in 2015. Drink or hold."

2016


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "This wine falls within the more structured side of the spectrum if you consider the various single- vineyard expressions made by Oddero. Their 2016 Barolo Brunate is lavish and dense with beautifully articulate and expressive aromas. Black cherry, dried blackberry, spice, tar, tilled earth and a touch of truffle oil add to the complexity of the bouquet. The wine boasts a dark garnet color with vivid color saturation. The tannins are well managed, silky and even glossy, and there is enough solid fruit weight to carry this Barolo far as it completes its long aging trajectory."


Vinous - "The 2016 Barolo Brunate is a stunning wine that shows Oddero at their very best. Powerful and yet also magically transparent, as only Nebbiolo can be, the Brunate captivates all the senses with a stunning mélange of aromatic depth, richness and pure power. Hints of orange peel, mint and dried flowers develop with time, but more than anything else, the Brunate is a Barolo that is all about nuance. Today, it is positively dazzling. Wow!"


James Suckling - "Love the aromas of ripe fruit with a white-truffle and meat undertone. Full-bodied with dense, layered tannins that are intense and powerful, yet very polished and pretty. I appreciate the purity of fruit and rounded tannins, though it needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2023."


Wine Spectator - "Plum, cherry, eucalyptus and sweet spice flavors converge on the rich texture and dense structure of this tight red. An element of new oak imparts a suppleness until the gripping tannins take over on the finish. Overall, this delivers a sense of ripeness and exuberance. Best from 2023 through 2045. 140 cases made."


Wine Enthusiast - "Iris, woodland-berry, exotic spice and menthol aromas waft out of the glass along with whiffs of coconut. It opens with spiced cranberry, red cherry and star anise before a firm backbone of assertive, close-grained tannins grip the finish. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2026–2036. "