2017 Barolo Vigna Rionda
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Tasting notes
The Figli Luigi Oddero 2017 Barolo Vignarionda has smoky campfire ash or burning embers. The wine shows its tertiary notes, dark spice, violet candy, cranberry, cured meat and bresaola. There is some black plum as well. The Vignarionda tapers down on the palate, culminating with a tannic kick. It shows its age and will drink nicely to the 10-year mark. You get a good amount of tertiary definition as it stands now.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Quite concentrated and mature on the nose, but savoury rather than sweet and with hints of herb liqueur. Great depth and concentration, with a layer of savoury spice. Supple and ripe but not sweet fruit. Certainly not reminiscent of a very hot year in spite of its concentration. The ripe, firm tannins give the wine a real edge. Long, gripping and well balanced. (WS)
The 2017 Barolo Vigna Rionda is another attractive wine in this range. Supple, forward fruit and beams of incisive tannin need time to fully come together. Rose petal, cinnamon, blood orange and crushed raspberry develop with a bit of coaxing. There is good depth to the 2017, but when it comes to Vigna Rionda, one of the greatest vineyards in the world, there just has to be more complexity and character.
Serralunga d'Alba. 'We only come out with Vignarionda six years after the harvest, but we do not call it a Riserva [although technically it is]. We always age it for six years, regardless of the vintage, because we feel this cru needs a lot of time.' Won't be released before 2024. Just mid ruby. Complex and a little savoury. A nose with hidden depths. With aeration perfumed red fruits come to the fore. Imposing structure filled out by succulent cherry fruit. Very long and with powerful, powdery tannins and not ready by far, but with clear potential. (WS)