2010 Barolo Serra

Davide Rosso has done a fabulous job with his 2010 Barolos, all of which are terrific. Rosso is building a new cellar just outside of town, which will give him the space that is so lacking in his current facility. The crown jewel in Rosso lineup is the Vigna Rionda. Tommaso Canale's parcels fell to three heirs; Rosso, Sergio Germano and Guido Porro. Rosso also got the wine that was in barrel, but not yet sold at the time of Canale's passing. The 2011 Vigna Rionda should be out next year. It is a Tommaso Canale wine, however, with all of the beauty and flaws that both thrilled and frustrated Canale's followers for so many years. My sense is that Rosso will make meaningfully better wines from his large parcel in Rionda. One of the most ambitious producers among Barolo's newer generation, Davide Rosso is a grower to watch for the future.

There is plenty going on at this small, family-run property in Serralunga. Davide Rosso is in the middle of building a new winery not too far from the center of town. To say the current facility is cramped is an understatement, there is basically no room to breathe between the tanks, barrels and bottles. Rosso's 2010 Barolos are quite promising. In 2010 Rosso opted not to bottle the Vigna Rionda Barolo made by his late uncle Tommaso Canale. The 2011 Rionda, and especially the 2012, both bode well for the future. Rosso now owns just over one hectare in one of Barolo's very finest vineyards. Needless to say, it will be interesting to see what emerges from this site in coming years, as Rionda is essentially the Holy Grail for Barolo lovers.