Wine Advisor
Fratelli Alessandria, Barolo San Lorenzo 2016
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Description
San Lorenzo is a hill in Verduno next to that of Monvigliero, with the same type of soil, but slightly less elevated and not quite so steep. The wine that originates here is considered finer and more “feminine”. A very complex and balanced Barolo that brings out the typical floral sensations of the Nebbiolo grape. The palate is elegant and harmonious with tannins that are usually quite sweet and smooth.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno bristles with energy, as all these wines do. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 needs time to shed some of its youthful austerity. Sweet tobacco, spice, cedar, earthiness and dried cherry are some of the many notes that open up with some coaxing. Time in the glass bring out a whole range of tar and incense nuances that work so well with the wine’s personality.Over the years, I have been fortunate to taste the Alessandria Barolos with quite a bit of bottle age. I don’t want to scare readers off, but the 2016 is likely to be at its best in another decade or so, once the muscular tannins start to soften a bit. My impression is that the wait will be worth it.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno is powerful, wild and beguiling from the very first taste. Rose petal, mint, sage, anise, crushed flowers and graphite give the 2016 an element of exoticism that is impossible to miss. Michet clone, prevalent in this site, yields a Barolo with uncommon complexity and volume, as well as pedigree to burn. The tannins are going to need time to soften, but there is so much to like here. A wine of stunning beauty, the 2016 San Lorenzo is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year. I loved it.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Next to the classic Barolo, the Fratelli Alessandria 2016 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno shows a slightly darker hue and more mild concentration. The bouquet reveals less outright floral and fruit definition, and it offers more secondary and tertiary aromatic complexity instead, with spice, crushed stone, balsam herb and faint white truffle. The wine is powerful and shows a richer fiber, not by much but just enough to consider a more robust food pairing and more cellar age. A mere 5,000 bottles were released, and this is another home run from this impressive set of new releases from Fratelli Alessandria.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Lots of cedar and flowers with plums and berries on the nose that follow through to a full body with lots of chewy tannins and a dusty, flavorful finish. Drink after 2024.
About the Producer
Fratelli Alessandria is a leading wine producer in the Piedmont region of Italy. This winery was founded in 1870 and is located in the Borgonovo region of the Langhe Mountains. Fratelli Alessandria is owned and managed by the Alessandria family. They have inherited many generations of winemaking skills and a love of fine wine. The aim of the winery is to produce high quality wines that represent the characteristics of the Piedmont region. The winery mainly grows local specialty grape varieties such as Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and Barolo. These grape varieties are fully developed in the soil and climate of the Lange Mountains and produce excellent wines. The wines of Fratelli Alessandria are dominated by red wines, the most famous of which are its Barbaresco and Barolo wines. These wines embody the essence of the wines of the Piedmont region, with complex flavors and solid structure. They show intense fruit aromas, rich taste and long aging potential. Fratelli Alessandria focuses on traditional winemaking methods, while also constantly trying to innovate. They use modern technology and equipment in the brewing process to ensure the stability of the quality of the wine. The winery also pays great attention to detail and individual work, from the selection and harvesting of the grapes to all winemaking steps, they are treated with excellence. This heart and attention makes the wines of Fratelli Alessandria stand out in terms of quality.
