Margherita Otto

I imagine many Vinous readers have met Alan Manley at Bartolo Mascarello, where he is Maria Teresa Mascarello's right hand man. Driven by his outsize passion, Manley started making wine on his own a few years ago, cobbling together whatever fruit and equipment he could from friends and colleagues. More recently, Manley has moved into a small yet functional cellar in Monforte that has all the essentials. Manley's Margherita Otto Barolo is a blend of fruit from Monforte, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga, co-fermented in cement, and aged in 25HL French oak casks for three years. The first commercial release is 2015. That wine has come together nicely, but the vintages I tasted from cask are even more promising. Marghetita Otto is an estate to watch.