2019 Virna Barolo “Noi”

This is a wine I sold back in December to a quiet but strong response.  The 10cs came in and went out rather quickly and I hardly realized we were out of stock.  

Then I had a client call me the other day raving about the wine asking if any more was available. To my surprise, when I checked with the importer, I was able to secure  another 10 cases!

I’m sure you have heard that 2019 is a tremendous vintage for Italy - a reference point for years to come. I popped a bottle of the 2019 Virna when it arrived the other day. It's one of those wines that you begin to smell even before you stick your nose in the glass. It offers a sunny profile but not one that you would ever say is overripe. Its color is somewhat transparent, not in any way black. The nose is super inviting, red and black fruit flavors are most prominent, however there are hints of tar and spice playing a supporting role in the background. The mouth offers medium weight density, superb balance on a finish that reveals some underlying tannin and structure. Forty-five or so minutes after opening the wine, it is becoming more and more elegant.  

I said it last time but it's worth repeating - this is a Burgundy Lovers Barolo. I think the wine offers tremendous pleasure now and if you can somehow find a way to keep your hands off it for another 3-5 years this has some real upside potential. Finding a Barolo in the under $40 category that offers this kind of quality is something you don’t see all that often. Barolo of this quality easily sets you back $60 if not $80. My suggestion would be to buy a few you can sample now, but also enough to forget about for a couple of years as I’m telling you this is a candidate for Best Barolo Buy of Vintage!

— STORY —

Lodovico Borgogno’s family lives and works on their “Borgogno” estate in the village of Barolo. The family has owned vineyards in Barolo since 1720. The passion for these hills has also inspired Lodovico’s daughter, Virna. After completing her studies in enology at the winemaking school in Alba in 1988, she joined her father Lodovico in the running of the family farm, and three years later she became the first woman in Italy to graduate with a first-class honors degree in winemaking techniques from Turin University. In 2001 the company image was given a facelift, with the introduction of the Virna logo on the label – also signifying the fact that Virna had become proprietor and head winemaker. With her sister Ivana helping out on the business side, the new look set out to highlight the role played by the women in the company, and in particular the fact that behind the wines were people who were investing all their know-how and commitment. Today the Virna estate stretches out over an area of around 12 hectares, producing wines from grapes grown on its own vineyards located in historic crus such as Cannubi Boschis, Preda, Sarmassa, I Merli, San Giovanni, and Costa delle Rose.