“BAROLO LOSES A FAVOURITE SON”
Barolo Loses a Favorite Son
“I learned of Luciano Sandrone’s passing just as I prepared to go to press with this report. I will have more to say on Sandrone and his remarkable life once I have had a chance to gather my thoughts. For now, let me just say that Luciano Sandrone was a titan. Sandrone defined an entire generation of young, quality-minded Barolo growers who revolutionized Barolo in the 1980s, when Piedmont was a far less dynamic place than it is today. With all due respect to his contemporaries, Sandrone did several things none of them did. First, he created an estate from nothing, with no inherited land, but rather with a vineyard he and his wife Mariuccia purchased. Sandrone almost immediately found remarkable balance, crafting Barolos that were decidedly modern in style but that also appealed to wine lovers reared on the classics. The 1989 and especially 1990 Cannubi Boschis were among his first iconic wines. Last and maybe most importantly, Sandrone was the only grower of his generation to create a winery that climbed the ranks and becomes part of Piedmont’s elite, that small group of historic, family-run estates whose wines are highly sought in the secondary market.” Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Vintage:
Two thousand and eighteen remains a mixed vintage that reflects the challenges of a growing season marked by heavy spring rains, intense summer heat and unbalanced weather during the final phase of ripening. There are some gorgeous 2018s out there, but finding them will take a bit of work. The best 2018s are beautifully perfumed, mid-weight Barolos that will drink well early. Antonio Galloni
2018 Luciano Sandrone • Barolo Aleste
96 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
$179.95 per bottle – six packs
$399.95 per bottle – Magnum 1 pack
Made with fruit from Cannubi Boschis, the Luciano Sandrone 2018 Barolo Aleste is plump and ripe, but this wine also shows a more delicate character that is its ace card. The aromas are filigreed and fine with dark fruit, spice and licorice. The effect is integrated, and the wine shows a lovely, softer personality to balance out this mildly concentrated expression.
2018 Luciano Sandrone • Barolo Le Vigne
96 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
$164.95 per bottle – six packs
$364.95 per bottle – Magnum 1 pack
One of my personal favorites, the 2018 Barolo Le Vigne is savory in character and packed with dark fruit. Ripe cherry and redcurrant cedes to spice, licorice and fragrant rose. The oak is integrated, but there are added accents of spice and dark tar. Le Vigne is a blend of fruit from Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in Barolo and Merli in Novello.
