THE 2014 VINTAGE IN BAROLO

The 2014 vintage, despite being one of the most complex to manage in recent years, gave way to very pleasant surprises as a result of favorable end of season conditions, which gave us high quality in the vinified grapes.

The spring, following a mild winter, came rather gently but prematurely. The amount of rainfall in the summer was above average, with real “cloud bursts” on a few occasions, quite contained yet intense. Particularly significant were the rains on the 23rd and the 29th of July, which however had profoundly different outcomes; in some areas 63 mm of rain were recorded in a single day, while just 15 km away only 13 mm. The month of September was undoubtedly positive from a climate point of view, with good diurnal temperature shifts, significantly contributing to grape quality and phenolic maturation. Nebbiolo is the varietal that responded best to the beautiful climatic conditions at the end of the maturation period. Thanks to our diligent thinning and cleaning of the bunches during the vegetative cycle, excellent results were achieved.

Harvesting operations began on October 10 and lasted until October 18.

Aleste Barolo 2014

Heart and Continuity

ALESTE is the natural continuity of Luciano’s first wine, the Barolo Cannubi Boschis. Giving all the experience, knowledge, patience and passion of his many harvests, Luciano pays tribute, with boldness and sensibility, to the next family generation: “ALESTE” is in fact the combination of the names of his grandchildren ALEssia and STEfano.

An Iconic Wine

From the very first bottling in 1985, Luciano always believed in the unique and distinctive potential of the Cannubi hill, and that he wanted to express this potential by way of a separate vinification. This bottling pays homage to the richness and elegance of the favored Cannubi site in the heart of the Barolo. The optimal soil and climate conditions, harvest after harvest, have brought forth a wine that has drawn international attention since its first release.

Tasting Notes

Sandrone ALESTE 2014 is a wine of elegant personality, ageable and able to transform and transmit over the years of maturation the nobility of its character, origin and style. In the glass, the color is beautiful and brilliant garnet red. The fragrance, rich and complex, begins with floral notes – iris, aromatic herbs and dried hay – then raspberry and wild strawberry, finally ethereal spice notes of cinnamon and green peppercorns as well as tobacco. The flavor is rich and precise, enveloping and warm, with notes that recall the aromas of spice and jams, herbs and tobacco. It is a dense, structured and long-lived wine, yet one of elegant character; the acidity and tannin give balance to the wine, and the finish is velvety.

– Barolo DOCG

– 100 % Nebbiolo

– Spontaneous fermentation from indigenous yeasts

– Maceration and alcoholic fermentation in open steel tanks

– Malolactic fermentation and ageing in French oak tonneaux of 500L

– Aged in bottle for 18 months before release

– From the first vintage of 1985: Cannubi Boschis, from 2013 and beyond: ALESTE

– Vineyard in the village of Barolo: Cannubi Boschis

– Alcohol: 14.0 %

– Recommended drinking time: 2025 – 2045

“The 2014 Barolo Aleste is a wine of exquisite finesse and grace. Soft, understated and classy, it is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. Bright red cherry and red plum fruit give the wine its vibrant feel.”

– 93 Points Vinous Media

Le Vigne Barolo 2014

Ancient Art

Le Vigne Barolo interprets the ancient handed-down wisdom and tradition in Langhe and Barolo of assembling the Nebbiolo grapes from various vineyards. We interpret this historic practice by working only with indigenous yeasts and by keeping the grapes of each vineyard separate during the fermentation and barrel aging, rather than combining them during fermentation.

A Perfect Diagonal

We meticulously selected four vineyards so as to bring out all the characteristics of the Barolo area. The vineyards of Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in Barolo and Merli in Novello form a perfect diagonal across the area which encompasses different terrains: light and sandy, more compact and deep, and all at different altitudes and exposures.

Every Year is a New Discovery

Harvested, vinified and aged separately, only the best lots are mixed together during the assemblage so as to express the uniqueness of the vineyards and enhance the particularities of each vintage.

Tasting Notes

The Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2014 surprises with its intense garnet color, alive and beautiful. As it ages, it will slowly fade in intensity and gain subtle orange-brick hues. The scent, broad and persistent, first shows fruit notes of wild strawberry and raspberry, then floral notes including wild flowers and dried roses. Spice aromas of cinnamon and star anise emerge at the finish. With time we expect secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors to evolve, such as elegant vanilla notes and then dried mushrooms, leather and truffles. The flavor is rich and intense, with youthful expressiveness in the tannin and acidity. Time will bring greater harmony, resulting in a more complex and balanced wine. It is a young, solid and promising Barolo, born of an ancient process which combines knowledge of the territory with the ability of the various characteristics of each vineyard site to meld into a harmonious whole.

 – Barolo DOCG

 – 100% Nebbiolo

 – Spontaneous fermentation from indigenous yeasts

 – Maceration and fermentation in open steel tanks

 – Malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrels of 500L

 – Aged in bottle for 18 months before release

 – First vintage: 1990

 – Vineyards in the villages of Serralunga d’Alba: Baudana, Castiglione Falletto: Villero, Barolo: Vignane and Novello: Merli

 – Alcohol content: 14%

 – Recommended drinking time: 2022 – 2045

“The 2014 Barolo Le Vigne once again shows the wisdom of blending fruit from different sites. If there is a vintage where blending has the potential to be the difference-maker, 2014 is it. So it is hardly surprising to find the 2014 Le Vigne in such great shape. The red cherry jam, mint, cedar and floral notes are all finely sketched. Medium in body and classy, the 2014 is beautifully textured and inviting from start to finish. All the elements are simply in the right place. Vineyard sources are Merli, Vignane, Villero and Baudana.”

– 96 Points Vinous Media

Valmaggiore Nebbiolo D’Alba 2016

The Amphitheater

The Valmaggiore vineyard in the Roero hills, on the left bank of the Tanaro river, is one of the best historic sources of origin and quality. Already in the Nineteenth Century, the Nebbiolo grapes grown in this vineyard were so highly regarded that they dictated the price for the entire territory. In the 1990s, the first sight of Valmaggiore was like a bolt of lightning for Luciano, Luca and Barbara: they fell in love at first sight. This was not only for the history and the long viticultural tradition, but also for the particular uniqueness of those sandy soils combined with the microclimate.

All “Hand-Made”

Our Valmaggiore is an amphitheater facing the south, with full exposure to the sun. Here, nature is rich and vigorous. The ground is soft and sandy, the slopes extremely steep. Already in the planting of the vineyard, the respect for nature and tradition was strategic. This respect is present every day: we cultivate by hand, row by row, from bud break to when we harvest the ripest grapes; we make our vineyard a laboratory for healthy and well-cultivated fruit.

The Nebbiolo in Roero

In Roero, a significant historic agricultural richness has been preserved, and not only in viticulture. Here, Nebbiolo is distinguished for its finesse and elegance and we, like those in the past who were also proud and convinced, wish that our Valmaggiore wine expresses all the grace and refinement of Nebbiolo.

Tasting Notes

Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2016 is a noble wine, exemplified by its natural elegance and complex character. It has a ruby color that shows the first garnet reflections. The aromas are full and complex. Fragrant notes recall iris and aromatic herbs, then wild strawberry, pomegranate and candied raspberry. This is followed by evolved, complex fruit stucture with red fruit jam and dried apricot, followed by spicy notes of cinnamon and vanilla. The taste is dry, elegant, warm and persistent. The alcoholic structure and acidity hamonize successfully and show finesse in their character. The wine will improve with proper cellaring, growing into its aristocratic heritage: complete, authoritative and harmonious.

– Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC

– 100% Nebbiolo

– Spontaneous fermentation from indigenous yeasts

– Maceration and fermentation in open steel tanks

– Malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak tonneaux of 500L

– Aged in bottle for 9 months before release

– First vintage: 1994

– Vineyard in the village of Vezza d’Alba: Valmaggiore

– Alcohol content: 13.5%

– Recommended drinking time: 2018-2030

Bloomberg wine columnist Elin McCoy selected Sandrone Le Vigne 2016 as one of her top 10 favorite wines of the year, a major accolade considering she tasted more than 2100 bottles.

A self-proclaimed Barolo devotee, she says that she’s always on the hunt for memorable years, like 2016, “that remind wine lovers why they should collect these age-worthy Italian reds.” Continuing, “Sandrone le Vigne, with its vivid core of cedar, cherry, and spice flavors, surpassed the dozens of other terrific options from 2016 that I sipped at an in-depth Barolo event in February. It’s a profound vino serioso that lingers on your palate. Luckily, the prices aren’t yet at Burgundy’s level, but collectors are beginning to dive in.” Read the full story HERE

The Sandrone family first discovered Le Coste di Monforte vineyard more than 20 years ago, and at that time already knew how special its grapes were. A friendship developed after the owner of the vineyard asked the Sandrone family to help take care of their winemaking and the maturation. Now, Le Coste di Monforte has become part of the Sandrone family’s holdings and will be used for LE VIGNE, the Barolo blend created by Luciano Sandrone. The fruit from this vineyard will contribute potency, force and freshness to the wine.

Read more about this exciting acquisition in the enclosed PDF.

Wine Spectator writer Robert Camuto published a compelling article that documents the Sandrone winemaking family’s legacy that has spanned over 40 years of making wine in Barolo.  From acquiring his first vineyard plot on a “pay me when you can” verbal handshake, to vinifying wine in his garage for 20 years, Luciano Sandrone shows no signs of slowing down. And with his family by his side, including grandchildren who are learning the ropes, his legacy will live on for years to come. 

Camuto concludes, “Sandrone it seems has thought it all through—crafting the future as if it were a Sandrone cru. “To have my grandchildren working here,” says Sandrone, “that will complete the dream.”

Stephanie Johnson, Italian Editor of Wine & Spirits Magazine wrote a touching tribute to winemaker and visionary, Luciano Sandrone, following his passing in January. She fondly recalls the last time she saw the pioneering Piedmontese winemaker, in 2021 after COVID-related travel restrictions were lifted. 

“I met him, along with his brother Luca and daughter Barbara, in the tasting room of their winery at the foot of Cannubi hill in Barolo. We talked mostly about the 2018 harvest, and toward the end of the visit I asked some questions about Vite Talin, Luciano’s pet project for more than a quarter century […] It wasn’t enough for him to talk about this wine; it was imperative that I see the vines and touch the clusters. We walked the rows while he recalled the history of Vite Talin—how, back in 1987, Luciano had noticed a gnarled old vine in a nebbiolo parcel he was renting from an old farmer named Natale, whose nickname was Talin. The fruit consistently produced a highly structured, deeply colored wine, and the 2013 Vite Talin became the first commercial release of this wine.”

Read the full article HERE

During the 2024 Wine Spectator New York Wine Experience, Barbara Sandrone represented the Sandrone estate in a seminar highlighting the evolution of Barolo wines. In a tasting led by Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, the seminar spotlighted a modern approach to Barolo, emphasizing its more accessible, expressive character in recent vintages. Sanderson described the 2020 vintage as potentially setting “the standard for postmodern Barolo” due to warmer, drier growing seasons that yield wines with “expressive red fruit, floral and savory flavors” and softer tannins.

Barbara Sandrone presented the Luciano Sandrone Barolo Aleste 2020, which received a score of 95. She shared memories of her father, Luciano Sandrone, one of the original “Barolo Boys” known for blending traditional and modern winemaking methods. She described him as “stubborn, pragmatic, and very Piedmontese,” someone who crafted wines that embodied his unique vision. The Aleste wine—named in 2013 after his grandchildren, Alessia and Stefano—honors this legacy.

Reflecting on the wine, Sandrone highlighted its balance of structure and elegance, a nod to her father’s enduring influence on Barolo. Read the full story attached and linked HERE

Sandrone_Wine Spectator_10.21.24

Photo Credit:  Rick Wenner/Wine Spectator