I am always fond of a great Barolo. Today we venture to Piedmont in Northern Italy to share one of the jewels of the region. In 1925 Giovanni Manzone purchased 'Ciabot del Preve' (the Parish Priest house) and he started the winemaking in Monforte d’Alba. During the years the Manzone family purchased important vineyards on the historic hill of ‘Castelletto’ and ‘Gramolere’ two top crus in Monforte d'Alba. In the last several years Mauro (2005) and Mirella Manzone (2012) joined their father Giovanni in the management of the winery. Mauro and Mirella are graduates from the famed Oenology School of Alba. Manzone estate is located in Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, in the southeastern portion of the Langhe hills. Manzone owns 8.5 hectares (about 20 acres) of vineyards and uses estate-grown grapes only. The entire production is roughly 45,000 bottles per year.
I have enjoyed many of these wines in my personal collection, particularly enjoying their ‘Bricat’ which consistently over-delivers for the price. I absolutely loved the 2015 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo (WWB, 93) which has a silky mouthfeel and is beautifully textured with very pretty red fruits. Even better is their top wine coming from the 2013 vintage, their Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo (WWB, 94) which is dense and chewy, having some massive structure and aging potential. Learn more about this famed Barolo estate at http://www.manzonegiovanni.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Manzone.
2018 Giovanni Manzone ‘Rosserto’ Rossese Bianco- Rossese Biano is a rare indigenous varietal that shows really nice nutty and earthy tones on the palate alongside nectarine and white grapefruit tones. Medium-bodied and showing a great combination of freshness and texture, this beautiful wine is best enjoyed over the next five years. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2018 Giovanni Manzone ‘Il Crutin’ Nebbiolo- The ‘Il Crutin’ Nebbiolo shows orange rind with the core of sour red fruits and smoky undertones on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting. Layers of pretty red fruits and potpourri combine with minerals and damp earthy tones on the palate. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘La Marchesa’ Barbara D’Alba- This Barbera was aged for 16 months in large puncheons before bottling. Sour cherry and red raspberry tones collide with smoky minerals on the nose. The palate has wonderful freshness and verve with layers of bright red currants, pomegranate seed and volcanic terroir, with salty and smoky undertones. The freshness and wonderful sense of texture really makes this sing. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo- The 2016 ‘Gramolere’ Barolo shows wonderful dusty minerals with red rose petals and bright red fruits with potpourri on the nose. The palate has a soft mouthfeel with layers of pretty guava and sour red cherry flavors with damp earth and white truffle tones. Beautifully balanced, this has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2035- 92
2015 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo- The 2015 ‘Bricat’ Barolo is a gorgeous effort from this storied house founded in 1925. Once on the nose this takes on dusty terroir with shades of sour red raspberry and pomegranate seed with red rose petals woven together with smoky undertones. The palate has great freshness and concentration with a profound sense of elegance. Ripe red currants dance with smoke, minerals and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. The length and gratifying acidity of the w wine really impress, as this exceptional effort will cellar well for the next two decades. Drink 2020-2038- 93
2013 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo- The 2013 ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo was aged for 54 months in large puncheons prior to bottling. The wonderful rose petal florals impress in the glass, as layers of pretty red fruits dance with smoky minerals on this fantastic bouquet. The palate shows a soft, seamless texture. Light tannins line the core of sour red fruits, with kumquat zest, black truffle and lighter white pepper tones on the palate. With great length and viscosity, this fantastic ‘Riserva’ has decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 94