Wine Advisor
Luciano Sandrone, Barolo Le Vigne 2004
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
2004 Barolo Le Vigne—Vintage 2004 is a return to a more classic set of aromas and flavors. The four parcels-Ceretta, Vignane, Merli, and Conterni- show their very typical qualities. Although the final blend has not yet been made and a rating is not possible, the individual wines are undoubtedly very fine. 11/05 I have been following Luciano Sandrone’s 2003 Barolos for the last two years and the wines have developed very positively over that time. “I have to say I’m pleased with the way our 2003s are evolving.” says Sandrone. “Fortunately we had a little bit of rain towards the end of the growing season. The rain came too late to help the Dolcettos and Barberas, but we waited until early October to pick the Nebbiolos and luckily they had some time to recuperate.” Like his colleagues Sandrone is very happy with 2004, and he has told me on multiple occasions he considers 2004 to be a great vintage. Readers may recall from Issue 2 that Sandrone harvests and vinifies each of the plots within his vineyards separately, with the blending of the component wines taking place during the second year of oak aging. Accordingly, readers should note that the 2003s reviewed below represent the final blends of these Barolos, while the 2004s were tasted as separate components.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2004 Barolo Le Vigne is a phenomenal effort. Sweet, long and pure, it reveals an expansive core of perfumed ripe red fruit, flowers and spices. Despite its notable concentration it is made in a restrained style, showing remarkable elegance as well as harmony, with superb length and finessed tannins on the close. Le Vigne is made from the Ceretta, Vignane, Merli and Conterni vineyards. I have tasted the wines from these plots separately on many occasions. Curiously, I have never been particularly impressed by any of the wines on their own, yet when they are blended the results can be extraordinary, as is the case with the sublime 2004 Le Vigne. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019. Luciano Sandrone has been ecstatic about the quality of his 2004s since I first tasted the wines with him in the winter of that year. While 2004 is a superb vintage overall, Sandrone's wines stand out, most notably for their extraordinary elegance. Importers: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NJ tel. (914) 769-3000
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Sandrone’s 2004 Barolo Le Vigne is equally compelling. A bit deeper than the 2008, the 2004 (also from a long growing season) has developed every bit as well as I had hoped it would when I first tasted the separate components from barrel many years ago.
About the Producer
Luciano Sandrone is an acclaimed Italian winemaker based in the Piedmont region of Italy. He is the founder and owner of the Luciano Sandrone winery, which he established in 1978. Sandrone is known for his skillful blending of traditional and modern winemaking techniques to produce wines that are both elegant and powerful. He primarily works with the Nebbiolo grape, which is the main varietal used in the production of Barolo, one of Italy's most celebrated wines. The winery produces several different wines, including the flagship wine, Barolo Cannubi Boschis, which is made from grapes grown in the prestigious Cannubi vineyard. Sandrone also produces a Barbera d'Alba, a Dolcetto d'Alba, and a Langhe Nebbiolo. Sandrone's wines are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors around the world and have received numerous accolades from wine critics. He is considered one of the most influential winemakers in Piedmont and has played a significant role in elevating the quality and reputation of the region's wines.
