Barolo is a beguiling region that produces some of the great wines of the world. It was back in 1925 that 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 love the Manzone wines and have bought many of these wines over the years, particularly the well-priced ‘Bricat’ which consistently over-delivers for the price. I absolutely loved the 2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo (OB, 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 (OB, 94) which is still very youthful but has another twenty years in the cellar to go. Learn more about this famed Barolo estate at http://www.manzonegiovanni.com Here are notes from the outstanding new wines by Manzone.
2018 Giovanni Manzone Rossese Bianco- Crafted from a relatively 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 2021-2026- 90
2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘La Marchesa’ Barbara D’Alba- The 2017 ‘La Marchesa’ Barbera is an outstanding effort that saw 16 months in large puncheons prior to bottling. The nose is located with sour red fruits that collide with smoke, bramble and orange zest tones. The palate is soft and inviting with great acidity. Shades of pomegranate and kirsch mingle with tilled soils, and tobacco leaf, alongside a beautiful teexture and light dusting of salinity. This is seriously good now and has another decade to go. Drink 2021-2030- 91
2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo- The 2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo is a gorgeous effort that shows off red florals alongside orange rind, cranberry and dried herbal tones aromatically. Fresh and vibrant with a plush sense of texture, the wine is dense and concentrated with layers of beautiful red fruits and cigar box tones. While really great to savor following a two hour decant, this has more than fifteen years to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2035- 92
2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo- Even more impressive than the ‘Gramolere’ bottling, the 2016 ‘Bricat’ Barolo moves more towards hedonistic and polished with its gorgeous bouquet and massive wall of red fruits. With more air shades of black truffle and freshly tilled volcanic soils combine with the bright acidity and beautiful length. Overall, this is a stunning new Barolo that probably can benefit from another year or two in the bottle. This has the potential to cellar well for another two decades. Drink 2022-2038- 93
2016 Giovanni Manzone ‘Castelletto’ Barolo- The 2016 ‘Castelletto’ Barolo is absolutely singing at now the five year mark. Ripe strawberry, tobacco leaf and red cherry compote all fill the nose with red rose petals and damp earthy accents adding to the enjoyment. This becomes even more dense and hedonistic with a bit more air, as layers of ripe red fruits are woven together with stony minerals, menthol, blood orange zest and even shades of dark currants. A complete wine now, this beautiful Barolo will definitely benefit from another year in the bottle. Drink 2022-2038- 93
2013 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo- I was enamored by the gorgeous 2013 ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo which saw 54 months in large puncheons prior to bottling. Right away alluring smoke and gravel tones combine with a beautiful core of red and dark fruits with shades of potpourri. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a sinfully good texture. With great acidity and length, ripe red and dark fruits mingle with a dusting of salinity and volcanic earth. Beautiful to savor now, be sure to give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth now at the eight year mark. Drink 2022-2040- 94