It is my pleasure to share one the jewels of Barolo. Giovanni Manzoni was founded back in 1925 when Giovanni Manzone purchased 'Ciabot del Preve' (the Parish Priest house) and he started the winemaking in Monforte d’Alba. Over decades 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.
For years I have purchased these wines for my personal collection. Particularly the well-priced ‘Bricat’ consistently over-delivers for the price. I have enjoyed these wines now for more than a decade and they have some terrific aging potential. Check out the stunning 2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo (OB, 94) which is stunning and round, from this warm vintage. This beauty is already nicely evolved at the five year mark. Learn more about this famed Barolo estate at http://www.manzonegiovanni.com Here are notes from the outstanding new wines by Manzone.
2021 Giovanni Manzone Rossese Bianco- The 2021 Rossese Bianco is an indigenous varietal that is rare and was rediscovered by Manzone. This wine has been made since 1982. This shows green herbal notes and stony accents alongside rich melon and mango fruit flavors. Delicious, be sure to serve slightly on the warmer side. Drink 2024-2028- 91
2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘La Marchesa’ Barbara D’Alba- The 2020 ‘La Marchesa’ Barbera comes from a vineyard set on red clay soils and is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted yet. ‘La Marchesa’ is an historical farmhouse that used to belong to the Marchesa Scarampi and has been in the Manzone family since 1999. This really needs an hour or two of air to get fully aroused. Red rose petals and cigar ash notes combine with a gorgeous combination of red and dark fruits on the nose. The palate is jam-packed with flavor showing dark truffle shaving accents. Beautiful in terms of finesse and concentration, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2020 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo- The outstanding 2020 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo is a bit tightly wound at first, needing an hour in the decanter to get going. After some air this delivers tart teaberry and salmonberry notes on the nose alongside shades of wintergreen and pipe tobacco with blood orange zest accents. Beautifully textured and well-structured, this is going to have a long life ahead of it. Give it another year before uncorking. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo- A heady and also nicely structured 2019, the ‘Bricat’ offers beautiful red florals on the nose with a dusting of white truffle and green peppercorn alongside tart red fruits. The palate is beautifully structured and dense with refined tannins, boasting a glorious core of guava, cranberry and pomegranate seed flavors alongside salty soil and orange peel nuances. Generous and fleshy, speaking to the warmth of the vintage, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94
2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Castelletto’ Barolo- A great wine from a warm vintage, the 2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Castelletto’ Barolo is already evolving nicely in the glass. Bergamot, rocky soils and worn leather notes mark the nose alongside white truffle shavings. The palate is rich and generous with a silky texture and loads of mouth-watering acidity. This is drinking remarkably well in its youth and comes off nearly impossible to put down. Drink 2024-2039- 93
2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo- A totally head-turning bottling the 2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ was sourced from more than 50 year old vines which are located on the steep section of the vineyard. THis location is rich in fossils and rocky soils. Rich and unctuous on the mouth, this revels in its core of loganberry and red cherry flavors with black plum, wet rock and orange peel flavors that collide with the mouth-watering acidity. Totally amazing to enjoy now, this has a very long life ahead of it. Give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2025-2050— 96