2021 Barolo

I was so impressed with these 2021s from Poderi e Cantine Oddero. I suppose I should not be surprised, given where the wines have been over the last handful of years, but at the same time, I can't forget the enormous strides the Oddero family has made over that period. Readers will find wines that express all the best the vintage had to offer. The straight Barolo is a fabulous introduction to the range. From there, the wines just get better and better. The highlights are many. This year, I was especially struck by the Villero, a truly magnificent Barolo. It is a blend of two tanks, one of which was done with submerged cap maceration that lasted 70 days. The wines are aged in cask for around 20-23 months. Brunate, Oddero's smallest holding, is naturally aged in a smaller cask, and sees a bit less time in oak in order to soften any overt wood character. It is another exceptional wine in this lineup. As is the Barolo Rocche di Castiglione. I would be thrilled to own these wines.