Barolo 2018s from Sandrone
“Throughout the wine world there is a trend amongst the most prestigious estates for releasing their wines slightly later than their neighbours. Whilst many Barolo producers launched their 2018s early last year, the wines of Luciano Sandrone were only released in Autumn 2022, having gained additional equilibrium with 9 months further age in bottle.
Even on this calendar, Vinum are slightly late bringing you our offer of 2018 but we couldn’t be happier to present these wines today – soon to arrive on the ground in Singapore and already delivering huge drinking pleasure.
2018 is not one of those uber-structured Barolo vintages requiring a generation in the cellar before its ready to drink. Overall, I found it more classic than the 2017s – which I love for elegant, early drinking – with a greater volume and density through the mid-palate. I would drink 2017s first; others take a slightly different view:
A happy buying situation: buy the 2018s to drink now, the 2017s to keep 2-3 years, and the 2019s to keep for longer-term aging
– Susan Hulme MW / thewineindependent.com
I guess the only solution is to buy a case every year!
Whichever opinion you subscribe to on the 2018s, you cannot escape the fact that Sandrone is amongst the cream of the crop in this vintage. Of all the 2018 Barolo I have tasted, nothing rated as highly as the 97/100 I gave to Le Vigne and there is only one other wine that equals the 96/100 I scored Aleste. The professional critics agree with equally big scores from Italian specialists Susan Hulme MW and Monica Larner.
Of course Luciano Sandrone is about more than Barolo, with important holdings in Roero (for Valmaggiore) and superb Dolcetto and Barbera wines. However I think it is fair to say that the estate’s heart is in Barolo, where Luciano bought his first plot of Cannubi Boschis back in the 1970s. These wines have also won a place in our hearts – through the warmth of Barbara Sandrone’s friendship and the sheer joy they have brought when we’ve shared bottles at dinner.
- Le Vigne is a blend of Nebbiolo from crus across the communes of Serralunga, Castiglione Falletto, Barolo itself and Novello.
- Aleste is a tribute to Luciano’s grandchildren – Alessia and Stefano – and is born of Cannubi Boschis, where Luciano first laid the foundations of his estate.
Luciano Sandrone was an icon amongst the great Barolista of the 20th century. We mourned his passing earlier this year but can be nothing but positive about the future of this great estate in the hands of Luca, Luciano’s brother, Barbara, his daughter, and his grandchildren’s generation that are now joining the business.
The wines of Sandrone are jewels in Barolo and we are delighted to offer you these 2018s today.”
– Matthew Hemming MW
The Offer:
Subject to remaining unsold. Currently en route to Singapore, available in Q2.
Barolo Le Vigne 2018
20 cases (1×6) OWC available @ $870 (w/ GST $939.60)
**Max 2 cases per client**
More deeply pitched than the 2017 and showing just a kiss of oak sweetness. Has musk and dark spice tones. Deep berry fruits, dark cherries and a hint of earth. Very finely judged acidity keeps everything on its toes. Through the mid-palate the aromatics are intense, complex and piercing – really driving towards the finish. The piling volume builds and builds towards the finish.
97/100 – Matthew Hemming MW
The 2018 Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne is medium-deep, slightly more garnet in color than the 2017 and in fact the 2017 looks younger. The nose is restrained at first, developing in the glass with delicate cream, spice and a leather note. On the palate It has a jaw-droppingly beautiful texture and weight. This is all about finesse – it is like wearing a very well made suit where you cannot feel you are wearing anything. It is beautifully harmonious – a little less intense than the 2017 but with some brightness and that beautiful weightless quality. It is very Burgundy-like in terms of its weight and texture and reflects the 2018 vintage perfectly with just the right level of concentration and balance.
97/100 – Susan Hulme MW / thewineindependent.com
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.
96+/100 – Monica Larner / robertparker.com
Barolo Aleste 2018
10 cases (1×6) OWC available @ $1,050 (w/ GST $1134.00)
**Max 2 cases per client**
Pure and pristine dark fruit – glossy and dark-toned. Spicy and full-bodied with velvety tannins – a Barolo of mass, impact and volume. Plums, cherries and ripe strawberries. The spice comes to dominance on the mid-palate that’s refreshed by bright, sappy tannins. The structure is marked, like in the 2017, but better buffered by succulent fruit.
96/100 – Matthew Hemming MW
The 2018 Sandrone Barolo Aleste comes from grapes from the Cannubi Boschis vineyard but is called ‘Aleste’ as a combination of the names of Luciano Sandrone’s grandchildren – Alessia and Stefano. These wines are very Burgundy-like in their weight, texture and finesse but with the added depth and grip of Nebbiolo. This 2018 has a delicacy on the nose with bright red cherry and very subtle spice notes. It has a largesse and generosity of texture, with rounded, sandy-textured tannins and a slightly more clipped, assertive note. It just flows with ease and charm across the palate. Very beautiful, with a forceful personality. Wait maybe two years and drink for 20 plus.
97/100 – Susan Hulme MW
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.
96/100 – Monica Larner
Terms & Conditions:
Offer ends on Friday 24th March l No further discount l Immediate payment required l Delivery fees ($32.40) waived for purchases above $500 before GST excluding airports | Cancellation of orders not allowed l Order/s to be collected/delivered within 1 month upon stock availability l Offered Ex-Singapore & subject to remaining unsold