2011 Barolo Cannubi

Burlotto's 2011s are worth follow-ups to the 2010s. In particular, this year I was impressed with the straight Barolo and the Acclivi, two blend Barolos that don't get as much airplay as the estate's flagship Monvigliero. Fabio Alessandria has done a magnificent job elevating quality at Burlotto in recent years, as these wines amply demonstrate. As always, the Burlotto Barolos are all about classicism, especially in their aromatics and weight, but are rarely austere or forbidding when young.

Burlotto's 2011 Barolos are magnificent. It wasn't that long ago that the wines were often harsh and strident. Thanks to the work of Fabio Alessandria those days are long past. Over the years, the changes Alessandria has put into place have been small, but when taken together they have elevated Burlotto into the ranks of the elite. Some of the recent developments here include better temperature control in the cellars, newer botti, and more stylistic consistency across the range. Alessandria adds that his approach to green harvesting has also evolved quite a bit. It is a subject Alessandria knows well, as it was the topic of his thesis in oenological school. In the beginning, Alessandria did one early green harvest. Today, he does three passes, all later on in the year, and carried out primarily with the goal of evening maturities within bunches and vines. I tasted the Barolo and Barolo Acclivi from bottle, while the Monvigliero and Cannubi were in tank awaiting imminent bottling. This looks to be a stellar range from Burlotto.