2018 Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Vignolo

97 POINTS

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The organic Cavallotto 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo delivers the focus and straight-shooting concentration that we can expect of Castiglione Falletto. The wine ages for an extended 60 months in large Slavonian oak casks, and fruit comes from a southwest-facing slope with 40-year-old vines. The wine's core of fruit remains on the dark side, but you also get pretty lift and verticality with tart berry aromas, shaved mineral, cola and mint (like when you walk through the vineyard rows in summer). The wine is amply structured and fleshed out and delivers texture. The Riserva Vignolo is my favorite of Cavallotto's wines this year. Production is just under 7,000 bottles.

96 POINTS

Kerin O'Keefe - Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of rose, woodland berry, underbrush and spice form the fragrant, expressive nose on the fantastic 2018 Vignolo Riserva. The smooth, delicious palate mirrors the nose, delivering fleshy raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle and baking spice before a minty finish. Tightly woven, polished tannins offer enveloping support while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. While this already almost approachable, it will age beautifully for years. Drink 2026–2038. Abv: 14.5%

96 POINTS

Falstaff

Strong ruby in colour with a fine garnet rim. A deep and multi-layered nose with notes of truffle and leather, then dark wild raspberry, and some peach compote. Dense and compact on the palate, with plenty of grippy, pronounced tannins, descending in many levels, with a plum and fennel seed finish.

96 POINTS

Falstaff

Powerful ruby colour with a fine garnet rim. Deep and multi-layered nose with notes of truffle and leather, then dark wild raspberries, some peach compote. Dense and compact on the palate, lots of grippy, vivid tannins, opens up in many stages, with a finish of plums and fennel seeds.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2018 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a young, tightly wound wine. Dark-toned fruit, leather, spice and menthol infuse the 2018 with notable density. Vignolo is typically marked by relatively soft, supple contours, but the 2018 is very much on the virile side for this bottling. Even so, it is pretty impressive, especially for the year. I would give this a few years in bottle, as the tannins are rather imposing in the early going.

Wine Spectator

Sleek and expressive, this red is all about finesse. Rose, cherry, strawberry, orange peel, iron and wild herb flavors are driven by the bracing acidity, while light tannins line the finish. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2026 through 2043

Jancis Robinson

Mid-to-deep ruby. Seductive and deep nose with spicy notes mingling with saline hints and slowly emerging red fruit with a hint of crushed rosemary. Changes all the time and needs lots of air. Fresh, focused red fruit layered with clayey tannins. Still not fully open on the palate yet. Energetic, fresh and fluid, with tannic charge on the finish. Can be approached now but ideally should age for an additional two years in bottle. 17.5