2018 Barolo

Mariacristina and Isabella Oddero nailed the 2018 vintage. Perhaps even more importantly, what the Odderos have accomplished over the last handful of years in elevating the quality of their wines is nothing short of remarkable. I still remember visiting years ago and being completely uninspired. Thankfully, those days are a distant memory. There are only three 2018 Barolos. The Odderos did not feel most of their single-vineyard Barolos were good enough to bottle on their own, so most of the casks were blended into the straight Barolo, which, by the way, is fabulous. The exceptions are Brunate and Vigna Rionda, the latter of which is still in cask. Readers will also find the 2016 Mondoca and 2015 Vigna Rionda Riservas among this year's releases. Stylistically, the Oddero Barolos fall into a group of classically modern Barolos that combine old-school structure with striking purity of fruit, gorgeous delineation and no awkward edges.