Sandrone
Le Vigne Barolo Sibi et Paucis 2013
Barolo
Each year, the winery chooses to put aside a small part of their production of the wines based in Nebbiolo. The winery holds these in their library under optimal conditions for resting, refining and the slow march toward maturity. The seal on the labels identifies these specific bottles and their path which began under the ground in their cellars.
Barolo Le Vigne is often a dark and impenetrable wine in its youth. With proper cellaring, this wine reveals more classic Barolo aspects of black cherries, tar, violets and roses. This wine can outlive the ALESTE/Cannubi Boschis bottling in great years: Le Vigne shows more tannins than its brother and possesses amazing freshness and length.
VINEYARD
The first vineyard, Vignane, is situated in the historical part of the Barolo appellation and shares many characteristics with Cannubi. The Merli vineyard is located in Novello, which produces wines that are earthy and robust but with good aromatic complexity. The third vineyard, Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba, gives the wine additional depth and richness. As of 2011, Le Vigne also includes fruit from Villero, a newly acquired vineyard in Castiglione Falletto.
WINEMAKING
Each vineyard is vinified separately, and after destemming and light crushing, the must is covered with CO2 for a gentle warm maceration of approximately a day. Alcoholic fermentation begins about 24-36 hours later from native yeasts. A gentle maceration takes place in upright open-top steel tanks for the first 9-15 days of alcoholic fermentation. Immediately after alcoholic fermentation, which takes 28-30 days, malolactic fermentation takes place in 500 liter French oak casks. The wine is aged in these casks for 24 months, followed by 18 months bottle aging.
VINTAGE
Overall, it was a season characterized by a dual personality: after an initial cool and rainy phase, a second warmer and drier period allowed the fruit to recover strongly and achieve highly satisfying results. Even though the bud break took place during a period characterized by low temperatures and frequent rainfalls, by June the atmospheric conditions had markedly improved, and flowering happened under favorable conditions, resulting in a good fruit set. The true turning point came in July with a period of stable weather. Warm and bright days into October helped the phenolic development. The cool nights of the last period of maturation helped develop the best characteristics of Nebbiolo, thus obtaining grapes of excellent quality. In the end, the vineyard management was demanding, but have certainly made a difference and make the year 2013 a particularly good year. Harvest took place from October 3rd until 24th.
TASTING NOTE
Aromas of dark fruits, violet, licorice and cola emerge with vigorous airing. There are notes of red flowers, tobacco and black tea in the background that hint to its developing complexity. On the palate, the wine feels both tight, expansive and stunningly long. There is a core of black fruits livened by the excellent acidity and sweet ripe tannins. The finish shows spice and mineral notes as the black fruits linger on the tongue.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo
Appellation
Barolo
Farming
Follows organic farming but has chosen not to seek certification. Minimal quantities of Bordeaux mixture and sulfur (as allowed per organic practices) are used to control mold and fungus, and fertilization every 4-6 years occurs with composted manure from dairy cows.
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$275
Reviews
"Dried spice, campfire ash"
Wine Advocate - September 28, 2023 "Past vintages of this wine report the name of the MGA (Cannubi Boschi), but from this point on, the wine is called Aleste. This is a late-release project with bottles that are held back in a brick-lined room for an additional 10 years of bottle age. The Luciano Sandrone 2013 Barolo Aleste Sibi et Paucis is a true classic. The wine still shows hints of its primary fruit, but it has otherwise moved into an exciting phase of its evolution. There is dried spice, campfire ash, licorice and truffle essence. The flavors trigger your mouth to salivate, and the tannins feel like silk.." -M.L 8/23
"Cherries, dried leaves, and bark"
James Suckling - September 28, 2023 "Aromas of black berries, cherries, dried leaves, and bark follow through to a full body with firm and chewy tannins and a savory finish. Holding on well in a classic, tannic nature. Held in the cellar of the winery for 10 years" -J.S. 7/23
"A rush of black cherry, mocha, new leather"
Vinous - September 29, 2023 "The 2013 Barolo Aleste Sibi et Paucis, the Sandrone library release of the 2013 is a powerhouse. A rush of black cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice, cloves and tobacco race across the palate. The Aleste is a bit more forward than Le Vigne, but it, too, is aging pretty slowly. [...] Aromatics in the empty glass are nothing less than thrilling." -A.G. 11/22
"Iron, tobacco and tar"
Wine Spectator - September 29, 2023 "Well-structured, revealing dark fruit flavors of black cherry and black currant, with accents of iron, tobacco and tar. Has grip and a fresh feel, lingering on the licorice- and mineral-tinged finish." -J.M. 12/17
"Marasca cherry"
Wine Enthusiast - September 29, 2023 "Formerly known as Cannubi Boschis, this impressive wine boasts alluring aromas of crushed raspberry, baking spice, chopped mint, violet and woodland berry. The savory elegant palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon, licorice and a hint of coffee. Fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide polished support and great balance." -K.O. 9/17
"Lavender, violet and anise"
Wine & Spirits - September 29, 2023 "Aleste is the new identity for Luciano Sandrone’s Cannubi Boschis Barolo, bottled since 1985 and renamed in 2013 for his grandchildren, Alessia and Stefano. The end of the 2013 growing season saw warm days and cool evenings that preserved freshness and heightened aromas; in fact, half the pleasure of Aleste derives from the wine’s gorgeous scents of lavender, violet and anise. Strikingly pure flavors of ripe red berries and thick-skinned plums are dappled with notes of thyme, sage and fennel, the flavors woven seamlessly together in a velvety texture. Those intense flavors gain momentum as the wine sits in the glass, following a vertical trajectory toward a long, vibrant finish." -S.J. 12/17
"Cedar, black raspberry and rose"
Decanter - September 29, 2023 "As of 2013, Sandrone's iconic Cannubi Boschis bottling has been rebranded with the fantasy moniker Aleste, which fuses the names of Luciano's grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. The grapes still hail exclusively from the Cannubi Boschis cru, aged for 24 months in French tonneaux, less than 20% new. It is already open and appealing, with well-defined aromas of sweet spice, cedar, black raspberry and rose. The palate shows earthy restraint and balance, with a promising future." -M.M 12/17
"Dark fruit, smoke, tar and licorice"
Wine Advocate - September 28, 2023 "A late-release bottle that sees another decade of aging in controlled conditions at the winery, the Luciano Sandrone 2013 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis is an ambitious effort that seeks to engage lovers of aged Nebbiolo. I wish more wineries in Barolo had late-release programs like this that allow us to buy aged wine directly from the cellars. Showing soft and silky tannins, this wine reveals dark fruit, smoke, tar and licorice. The 2013 vintage is structured, and there is an elegantly dusty quality on the close." -M.L. 8/23
"Dark fruits. Hints of mushrooms"
James Suckling - September 28, 2023 "Wow. This has really evolved beautifully with spices, perfumes, and flowers, as well as dark fruits. Hints of mushrooms. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are soft and resolved now. Caresses your palate. Held at the winery for 10 years. " -J.S. 7/23
"Chalk, mint, white flowers and white pepper lend brightness"
Vinous - September 28, 2023 "The 2013 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis, the Sandrone library release of the 2013, is an infant. That's the good news. Even better, it is developing at a snails' pace. Bright red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white flowers and white pepper lend brightness. Readers will have to be patient though, as the 2013 is nowhere near ready to drink. Those who are fortunate to own it should be thrilled. Magnificent." -A.G 11/22
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Dolcetto d’Alba
Dolcetto d'Alba
Sandrone's Dolcetto d’Alba is produced using Dolcetto grapes from 11 different vineyards, all within the Barolo DOCG. Sandrone’s Dolcetto sees no time in wood and is a remarkably robust and complex example of the variety.
Barbera d’Alba
Barbera d'Alba
The Sandrone Barbera d'Alba comes from three vineyards: Merli and Rocche di San Nicola in Novello, and Cascina Pe Mol in Monforte d’Alba. It is widely considered one of the most intense and complex Barberas produced.
Valmaggiore
Nebbiolo d'Alba
Valmaggiore is the product of Luciano’s incredible passion for the Nebbiolo grape variety and its different expression. Just 15 miles away from Barolo, in the Roero region, Nebbiolo produces a lighter structure and ripe, smooth tannins that are not unlike those of Pinot Noir. This is not a “baby Barolo” or a second wine at all – it is a distinct interpretation of Nebbiolo from a completely distinct geographic zone.
ALESTE Barolo
Barolo
A combination of the names of Luciano Sandrone's grandchildren ALEssia and STEfano, ALESTE is the new name for Luciano's first wine, the Barolo Cannubi Boschis, which garnered early acclaim with the international trade and press. This single-vineyard wine is typically dense and concentrated, but shows incredible harmony and balance.
