Barolo Villero DOCG 2019

Barolo Villero DOCG 2019 / Giacomo Fenocchio / Piedmont

Red wine from Italy

The Giacomo Fenocchio family winery has existed in Monforte d'Alba in the province of Cuneo in the heart of the Barolo wine-growing region since 1864 and has dedicated itself entirely to the production of Italy's most famous wine. The winery is spread over approximately 14 hectares and includes some of the best vineyards in the region, including the famous Bussia, Villero and Cannubi vineyards. The vineyards are located on the hills surrounding the village of Barolo, where they benefit from calcareous soils and a mild climate. At present, the business is run by the humble character Claudio Fenocchio, who likes to call himself a "craftsman" of viticulture.

The Villero Hill, is one of the famous vineyard sites in the Barolo wine region near the town of Castiglione Falletto in the Piedmont region. Its unique geological composition, consisting of clay, limestone, and marl, gives the wines a special minerality and complexity. The vineyards on Villero Hill face southwest, which means they receive plenty of sunlight and provide optimal conditions for grape ripening. The Nebbiolo grapes for the Barolo Villero DOCG belong to the Michet, Lampia and Rosè subspecies and come exclusively from the world-famous Villero hill. Giacomo Fenocchio grows his grapes on an area of one hectare at an average altitude of 300m above sea level. The vines are on average 65 years old and grow on Helvetic soil, with clayey and calcareous sediments, rich in iron. Because an intense fog often settles over the region during harvest, it is likely that the name Nebbiolo derives from the Italian word “nebbia” or the Piedmontese word “nebia,” meaning “fog.”

The manual harvest of the grapes takes place in the first half of October. A long maceration is then carried out for forty days, which is a conservative method of Barolo production and is a unique selling point of Claudio Fenocchio. The subsequent fermentation without the addition of yeast in stainless steel tanks takes forty days. Now the long aging process begins, initially for six months in stainless steel tanks. Here the wine comes to rest and begins to develop its aromas. Giacomo Fenocchio's Barolo Villero gets its unique character from long-term storage for thirty months in large Slovenian oak barrels.

Its intense garnet colour with ruby reflections gives the Barolo Villero a lively and brilliant appearance. Complex and fruity aromas develop on the nose, reminiscent of flowers, spices, undergrowth, and plums. Its intense dry taste with sweet and enveloping tannins offers a long finish. Barolo Villero by Giacomo Fenocchio is expressed in a characteristic, invigorating aroma, accompanied by a dry yet warm and elegant taste that lasts for a long time.

With its structure and body, this Barolo goes well with meat dishes, game, and mature cheeses at an optimal drinking temperature of around 17 to 18°C. For a vegetarian option, the Barolo can be paired beautifully with a risotto with truffles or mushrooms. But also "just like that" - as a contemplation wine - and without eating anything, this first-class wine can delight your taste buds.

General properties

• Vintage: 2019
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Giacomo Fenocchio - Loc. Bussia 72 - 12065 Monforte d'Alba (CN) - Italia - +39 0173 78675
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo. Area of production is the "Villero" cru between Monforte and Castiglione.
• Altimetry: Hilly area at around 280 meters a.s.l.
• Soil: Tortoniano, marl with tuff and a prominent presence of sand, making it always dry.
• Age of the vineyards: 65 years.
• Harvest: In the beginning of October.
• Vinification: Traditional method of long maceration: natural fermentation without added yeasts for 40 days in stainless steel tanks.
• Ageing: 6 months in stainless steel tanks, 30 months in large capacity Slavonian oak casks (35 - 50 hl) and a successive maturation in the bottle.
• Sensory characteristics: The bouquet is rich with complex aromas of plums, undergrowth, herbis, flowers and fruits. An elegant and velvety wine. Dry, complete and balanced on the palate. You can feel soft tannins. In the end there is a very long finish.
• Color: Garnet red.
• Alcohol content: 14 % Vol.
• Total acidity: From 5.2 to 5.6 g/l
• Stopper: Natural cork
• How to serve: The Barolo Villero pairs well with dishes of red meat, game and aged cheeses, which are typical of the local cuisine, as well as with many rich international dishes.
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 17 und 18°C. The Barolo should definitely be decanted prior to consumption.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Special features of the 2019 vintage

The 2019 Barolo Villero is widely regarded by experts as an exceptionally successful vintage—not only when compared directly to its immediate predecessors, but also within the broader historical context. Its distinctiveness lies in the masterful interplay between classical structure and modern elegance.

Looking back across earlier vintages, the remarkable qualities of 2019 become even more apparent: much like the highly praised 2016, it impresses with finesse and structure, yet it offers a more approachable fruit profile and silkier tannins, lending it a particular charm even in its youth. In contrast to the hot and dry 2017—which produced wines that were often concentrated but less refined—2019 stands out with a notable sense of balance and freshness. Even alongside the cool, classically styled 2013, the 2019 vintage shines with added maturity and a harmonious depth.

This character is due in no small part to the year's climatic conditions. A long winter followed by an overall mild summer—interrupted only by occasional heatwaves—allowed for a slow, even ripening of the grapes. The result is a wine of finely woven tannins, layered aromas, and an elegant texture. These qualities make it appealing in its youth while also promising excellent ageing potential. The 2019 Barolo Villero thus stands as a quintessential expression of the stylistic finesse and expressive power for which this vineyard is renowned.

Grape variety

NEBBIOLO

The Nebbiolo grape is a noble red variety primarily cultivated in Piedmont, a region in the northwest of Italy. It is particularly renowned for its use in some of Italy's most famous red wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. The name is derived from "nebbia" which means fog and points to the white coating on the berries, which forms when fully ripe. The origins of the Nebbiolo vine in Piedmont stretch back at least to the Middle Ages. It is believed that monks cultivated this grape variety in the region, especially in the hills surrounding the towns of Alba and Asti. During the Renaissance and the early modern period, viticulture gained significance in Piedmont, and the Nebbiolo vine established itself as one of the region's most important varieties. The first records of Nebbiolo wines date back to this period. In the 18th century, Piedmontese winemakers began to focus increasingly on cultivating Nebbiolo, particularly in the Langhe and Roero hills, as well as the Barolo and Barbaresco areas. These regions subsequently became some of the most renowned growing areas for Nebbiolo wines. The 19th century witnessed a golden age of winemaking in Piedmont. The Nebbiolo vine was further refined, and some of the region's most famous wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, began to emerge. During this time, specific viticultural practices and winemaking techniques were also perfected, many of which are still utilized today. Today, viticulture in Piedmont is experiencing a renaissance. The cultivation of Nebbiolo has evolved, with winemakers increasingly adopting sustainable practices and introducing cutting-edge technologies to enhance the quality of their wines. The leaves of the Nebbiolo plant are medium-sized, rounded, and have a dark green colour. They are often five-lobed and slightly undulating. The grapes are typically medium-sized, cylindrical, or slightly conical in shape, with a loose grape structure that promotes good ventilation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases. The berries of Nebbiolo grapes are comparatively small, with thin, delicate skin. They are of a bluish-black colour and ripen late in the season, characteristic of the variety. Nebbiolo thrives best in hilly or mountainous regions with calcareous soils, making Piedmont its ideal habitat. The finest Nebbiolo wines often originate from areas with specific microclimates that encourage slow ripening and optimal flavour development. Nebbiolo berries contain a high concentration of tannins and a balanced acidity, imparting structure, complexity, and longevity to wines made from this variety.

Protection of minors: We deliver this article only to adults of unlimited legal capacity and reserve the right to demand appropriate proof of age. The data required for the order, such as name, address, etc., must be provided in full and truthfully.