For over 150 years, Fontanafredda has been acclaimed as one of the finest wineries in Piedmont. It is said to have been the first producer to release a bottle labeled Barolo — in 1878 — and was also the first to bottle a single-vineyard Barolo in 1964.
As the largest certified organic winery in Piedmont, its entire estate is classified as Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva, or MGA, which Italians often refer to as a cru.
After being absent from the market for a significant period, Fontanafredda has just released the 2019 vintage of two of its single-vineyard Barolos, Vigna La Delizia and Vigna La Villa. Sourced from Lazzarito MGA and Paiagallo MGA, these wines were last produced in 2000 and 2007, respectively.
Winemaker Giorgio Lavagna told Robb Report that the two wines were re-released as part of Fontanafredda’s Green Renaissance and Rebirth of the Vineyards projects. “With the 2019 vintage, we chose to elevate each portion of our land with the purpose of showcasing the rich biodiversity of Langhe by vinifying each vineyard separately. The goal is to highlight the unique personality of each site,” says Lavagna.
The distinct characteristics of the vineyards set the wines apart—Vigna La Delizia is known for its power and structure, while Vigna La Villa offers finesse and elegance. “By vinifying them separately, Fontanafredda aims to give wine lovers and collectors the opportunity to experience the subtle differences between these two exceptional locations,” he says.
While Vigna La Delizia enjoys southeast exposure and has soils rich in calcareous marl and clay, Vigna La Villa faces east and features soils of silt, sand, and clay. Both wines were fermented in stainless steel, aged in oak barrels for 30 months, and rested in the bottle for another eight months before release.
The 2019 vintage has already found a home in restaurant cellars across America. Steven McDonald, MS, executive wine director at Pappas Bros Steakhouse in Houston and Dallas, has Fontanafredda Barolos dating back to 1961 in his collection, including Vigna La Villa 1996 in Dallas and 1999 in Houston.
He explains the single-vineyard Barolo from specific MGAs to his customers the same way he would explain Burgundy wines. The Fontanafredda Barolo from 2019 is “very classic and almost austere upon first release, but also very enjoyable now,” says McDonald.
Michael Laudenslager, general manager and wine director at Peasant in New York City, has worked with multiple vintages and crus from Fontanafredda over the past two years. “Fontanafredda really maintains a classic style that is a great reference for what Barolo traditionally is,” he says.
Although Barolo is generally considered a wine with long aging potential, Laudenslager also believes the 2019s are ready to be enjoyed now. “This is the vintage where I decided that younger Barolo is truly accessible and ready to drink,” he says.
Fontanafredda 2019 Vigna La Delizia MGA Lazzarito Barolo DOCG has aromas of blackberry, eucalyptus, and baking spices. Polished tannins and gentle acidity support flavors of ripe summer cherry, pipe tobacco, clove, and dried thyme that merge into a smooth and savory finish. Fontanafredda 2019 Vigna La Villa MGA Paiagallo Barolo DOCG offers a bouquet of pomegranate, fresh hillside herbs, and wild lavender.
Flavors of cherry, red plum, and Provençal herbs fill the palate along with a layer of soft tannins that leave a subtle chalky note on the tongue and gums. After enjoying these wines with a steaming bowl of mushroom risotto, we can guarantee they were well worth the wait.
Source: Robb Report. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
