Wine Advisor
M. Marengo, Barolo Brunate 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Fruit for this wine comes from a 1.2-hectare site with classic calcareous soils. The 2018 Barolo Brunate is very different from the other two wines in this portfolio. Brunate shows a higher level of intensity and boldness with dark fruit, sweet plum, rusty nail and garden soil. This expression is also best equipped with integrated tannins and freshness to continue on a steady aging trajectory. I love that subtle note of sweetness that appears on the finish. This is a 5,800-bottle release.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Ripe red berries with floral aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate with fine, firm tannins that for now are coated with very bright, tangy fruit flavor. Very intense and tight, even racy, this needs some time for the flighty edges to settle down and the real core to expand. So youthful. Try from 2024.
About the Producer
M. Marengo is a 6 hectare (15 acre) estate in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The Marengo family founded the estate in 1899 and today it is known for its portfolio of wines from the appellations of Barolo, Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba and Nebbiolo d'Alba. The majority of the M. Marengo vineyards are planted to Nebbiolo for the production of the estate's portfolio of Barolo wines. Approximately 2ha (5 acres) of Nebbiolo vines are divided almost equally between Le Brunate and Bricco delle Viole, two of the key "cru" vineyards in Barolo. Both crus have south-facing exposures with clay-rich soils and are the source of M. Marengo's two single-vineyard, 100-percent Nebbiolo Barolos. The Marengo family first bottled its Brunate Barolo in 1974 and the inaugural vintage of Bricco delle Viole Barolo was released in 1997. M. Marengo also makes Brunate Riserva (previously known as Vecchie Vigne Brunate) from the vineyard's oldest vines, which were planted in 1940. There is also a multi-vineyard Barolo from two vineyard plots in La Morra. The Dolcetto and Barbera d'Alba wines are made exclusively from Dolcetto and Barbera grapes, respectively, that are cultivated in small vineyard holdings in Castiglion Falletto. The single-vineyard Nebbiolo d'Alba, Valmaggiore, is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in the vineyard by the same name. M. Marengo was certified organic in 2012 and employs sustainable viticultural approaches in its vineyards.
