2017 Barolo 1-27-24

 
In 2017, the heat through much of the growing season led some reviewers to snub the vintage. But in tasting the wines, hearts and minds were won over. We’re highlighting some of the most beautiful wines of the vintage by offering them on our weekend sale. So, stock your cellar and try out some new finds as we explore the core estates on offer. This is an excellent vintage that will reward now and in the future.
 
“In tasting, the 2017s are mid-weight Barolos with the classic structure of Nebbiolo. They are often intensely aromatic. Acids and tannins are prominent in many wines. The fruit profiles are ripe, often distinctly red-toned, but not cooked or over-ripe. Perhaps most importantly, the 2017 Barolos are very true to site, which is always a concern with vintages marked by warm weather. The best 2017s are exceptionally polished, vivid and flat-out delicious. If tasted blind, my guess is that few people would identify the wines as coming from a hot and very dry year… With few exceptions, the 2017 Barolos are not rich or opulent wines, like the 2003s, 2007s or 2011s. Rather, they are mid-weight, nervy Barolos that are reminiscent of the 2015s in feel, with edgy tannins that recall the 2005s, and, in most cases, a great deal of site expression, as readers would expect to see in a more ‘classic’ vintage. The finest 2017s are distinguished by suave, polished tannins that are inside a core of fruit rather than on the outside.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
We offer nearly 30 different Barolos in stock now from the 2017 vintage (that’s over 360 bottles!). We don’t have space to explore all the options, so browse our featured estates below and shop our sale on our webstore now!

 
Benevelli
 
“Massimo Benevelli’s 2017 Barolos are powerhouses. These firm, classically built Barolos convey all the power and tannic heft of Monforte d’Alba. Readers should plan on being patient, as the 2017s are real bruisers.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
The Benevelli wines are for the long haul. Sourced from vines planted in the 1960s, this is a memorable estate first introduced to the US by Kermit Lynch. Located in the commune of Monforte, this second-generation estate offers up a bold and brash look at the region.
 
Piero Benevelli Mosconi, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “Massimo Benevelli’s 2017 Barolos are powerhouses. These firm, classically built Barolos convey all the power and tannic heft of Monforte d’Alba. Readers should plan on being patient, as the 2017s are real bruisers.”
 

 
Piero Benevelli Le Coste di Monforte, Barolo DOC2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 20 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “Benevelli’s 2017 Barolo Le Coste di Monforte is complex and inviting. Iron, white pepper, mint and dried leaves give the 2017 an aromatic profile that is quite distinctive. This powerhouse Monforte Barolo offers plenty of intensity and structure in a super-classic, austere style that is sure to find many admirers. Its translucent personality and nuance are both evident from the get-go.”
 

Piero Benevelli Ravera di Monforte, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 8 bottles in stock now
Kermit Lynch importer notes “A great vintage for extended cellaring. Beautiful, classic Barolo nose. Intense depth. Fresh and complex in the mouth. Wonderful finish. Great wine!” Massimo Benevelli has created a masterpiece of Nebbiolo from the distinctive Ravera cru of Barolo in Monforte d’Alba. With a good decanting, this wine is enjoyable now, but the wise bet would be to stick a case of this in the deepest, darkest part of your cellar.”
 

 
 
Baudana/Varja
 
“The Vajra family produced a bevy of stellar wines from both their estates, G.D. Vajra in Barolo and Baudana in Serralunga. The 2017s are deep, fleshy and impeccably balanced.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
G.D. Vajra is one of our favorites. The estate is responsible for some of the finest Barolos we offer and also excels in entry-level options. The lineup as a whole is quite simply the best in Piedmont today. At all price points they are benchmark wines against which all others are judged.
 
Under the G.D. Vajra label, we offer the 2017 Bricco delle Viole. This is the highest vineyard in Barolo, named for the violets that blossom across its southern exposure. In its position above the thick fogs, it receives the most sunlight with the earliest sunrise and latest sunset, as well as a wildly dramatic diurnal temperature swing. The wines are lifted with refined tannins and minerality.
 
In 2009, G.D. Vajra was entrusted by Luigi and Fiorina Baudana to carry on the legacy of their cherished garagiste operation upon their retirement. The estate’s holdings don’t exceed seven acres, making them one of the smallest wineries in all of Piedmont. As a result, these are wines made in highly limited qualities and offer a wholly unique interpretation of the varietal.
 
The technical skill of Vajra is on full display with these old vines, resulting in wines that live up to the heritage of the estate and a wholly different interpretation of Nebbiolo in terms of aromatic lift and fruit profile. Their two estate vineyards offer perfumed and fruit driven expressions of Nebbiolo with clear aging potential.  
 
Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, 3 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor and cedar mingle with rose and leather on this full-boded, savory red. Structured and delicious, the juicy palate is still youthfully austere, delivering ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and licorice framed in noble tannins before a black tea finish. Drink 2025–2037.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana is such a gorgeous wine. It, too conveys the power of Serralunga, but with a bit less heft than is typically the case. Sweet dark cherry, iron, cedar, rose petal, mint and white pepper give the 2017 its effusive, inviting personality. This is such a tremendous showing.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana has more savory and forward notes of dried cranberry, leather, and orange peel on the nose, with tangy ripe fruit on the palate. It has a rather approachable style, with the generosity of the fruit up front and well-managed tannins. Drink 2021-2040.”
 
Luigi Baudana Serralunga, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $49, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2017 Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga d’Alba is resinous and assertive with aromas of tobacco, leather, dried cherry, and cedar. The palate is ripe with red plum, dried violet, and tar. The fruit dovetails to reveal its more powerful Serralunga structure, with building and firm tannins. Hold 2-4 years and drink 2023-2040.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba may very well turn out to be one of the best wines of the year in its peer group. Dark and wonderfully expressive, yet also light on its feet for a Serralunga Barolo, the 2017 has so much going on. Black cherry, plum, spice, gravel, cured meats, lavender and sage all meld together in this dark yet translucent Barolo.”
 

 
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, 17 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berries and cedar form the enticing nose. Full-bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone, while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced. Drink 2024–2032.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is the darker fruited of the G.D. Vajra sites and has rounded floral aromatics of crushed roses, resin, and cranberry cocktail. The palate is ripe and inviting, with building structure and notes of fresh red cherry, blood orange, and clove. The warmth of the vintage is felt without sacrificing lift. Drink 2025-2050”

 
Cavallotto
 
“Cavallotto may very well be the greatest Barolo producer few people have ever heard of, something that continues to mystify me…Readers who appreciate a firm, classic style of Barolo will want to spend some time getting to know Cavallotto.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
Cavallotto is a top tier, old-school producer of Barolo. Adored by collectors, they make wines that are impressively age-worthy and every bit as good as producers whose wines go for double the price. These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antonio Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”  We agree—these are special wines and deserve a featured spot in your cellar.
 
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is highly aromatic with anise, dried leather, and burnt orange. Ripe and structured, it offers ripe cherry, turned forest floor, and a long finish. The warmth of the vintage is felt while remaining fresh. Drink 2024-2042.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Aromas of rose, wild berries, leather and sunbaked underbrush come to the forefront. The wine was made with organically farmed grapes, and the palate shows an earthy elegance, featuring ripe cherry, blood orange, star anise and hints of truffle before closing on an iron note. Firm but refined tannins provide support. Drink 2027–2032.”
 

 
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $119, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Vignolo is a small vineyard site just down the hill from Bricco Boschis. The 2017 Barolo Riserva Vignolo (made with organic fruit) shows extra richness and density and more mineral definition that give this wine precision and focus. There is pencil shaving, crushed stone and licorice around a core of wild berry fruit and soft cherry. This vintage shows a broader more generous personality overall. The vines are 40 years old on average, and this Barolo ages in large Slavonian oak casks for 60 months. Production is limited to 2,609 bottles this vintage.”

 
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, 6 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe 98 points “Hailing from the firm’s prime vineyard in the Bricco Boschis cru Cavallotto’s magnificent 2017 Riserva Vigna San Giuseppe opens with classic Barolo aromas of new leather forest floor tobacco and ripe berry that mingle with floral scents of dog rose and iris. Full-bodied but smooth and enveloping the firmly structured palate combines power and finesse featuring succulent Morello cherry ripe cranberry star anise and baking spice accompanied by tightly knit refined tannins. Fresh acidity & impressive given the scorching vintage – keeps it well balanced.’
 
Aldo Conterno
 
Son of the famous Giacomo Conterno, Aldo purchased his own estate in 1969, Favot, to explore alternatives to the strictly traditional methods of the family estate. He took inspiration from Angelo Gaja and from his experiences while traveling through the United States.
 
Although he introduced some modern winemaking techniques that improved the quality of the wines, including temperature-controlled fermentation, he never fully embraced the “modern” style. He eschewed new oak on the Barolos and continued to hand-harvest the grapes, using gentle pressing and shorter macerations in the cellar.
 
The results were polished and elegant wines with pure and bold fruit profiles. Since his passing in 2012, his three sons have run the estate. These are standard bearer wines for the region, and worthy of a dedicated spot in your cellar.
 
Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $89
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.”
 

Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $179
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $149, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S.”
 
Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $179
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $149, 9 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.”
 
Cordero Montezemolo
 
“The 2017 Barolos from Cordero di Montezemolo are terrific. Two thousand seventeen is the first vintage in which the vineyards are certified organic. Over the last few years Alberto Cordero di Montezemolo has gradually lengthened macerations and lowered oak influence, which seem to enhance expression of site, always a positive.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
Cordero di Montezemolo, in Barolo, was founded in 1340. We’ll let that sink in for a second. That’s a long time, by any measure, and when you have one family, in the same place, farming the same land, generation after generation, they are bound to become really good at it. That’s very true here. The Montezemolo wines have always been really wonderful, classic examples of Piedmontese wines in their respective categories.
 
With reviews off the charts for the 2017, now’s the time to stock up, especially since our pricing beats the competition out of the park!
 
Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $89, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of ripe berries with dark mushrooms, wet earth and som tar. It’s full-bodied with creamy and chewy tannins that are polished and rather bold, but still held back. The finish is very long and caressing, if a little austere. From organically grown grapes. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in 2025.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Made with certified organic grapes, the 2017 Barolo Enrico VI represents a selection of fruit from a two-hectare parcel in Villero (Castiglione Falletto). Enrico VI steps down with power and an especially robust footprint in this hot and dry vintage that produced thickly concentrated fruit. The power overlaps and maybe masks some of the complexity of the fruit, especially at this young age. The wine presents aromas of dark plum and spice that are slightly soft and sweet and do not repeat the extremest focus that we saw in the previous 2016 vintage. It needs a little extra time.”
 

 
Paolo Scavino
 
One thing we love about Paolo Scavino is their ability to bring forth Barolos that have such depth of aroma and vibrancy at a young age, while still being able to age gracefully. These are some of the most delicious Barolos we taste upon release.
 
Much of this can be attributed to their envious vineyard parcels, but also a masterful hand at balancing classic and modern production methods. Maceration times are closely managed in an effort to provide structural integrity without excessive tannin (typically <12 days); small amounts of French Oak barrique (~15%) are incorporated to stabilize color and elevate aroma before large Slovenian casks soften the final edges.
 
The final mind-boggling element is the fact that Scavino regularly sells off large quantities (10-30%) of fruit that doesn’t quite meet its highest standards of quality in a given year. This means that the wine that ends up in your bottle is of an integrity that few other estates could hope to match.
 
The Bric del Fiasc and Monvigliero bottlings are absolutely world class, but immense quality extends across the entire portfolio.
 
Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 17 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Located in Roddi, the 2017 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is marked by perfume of chalky earth, violets, and kirsch. The palate moves into dark fruits, with ripe currant, sweet tobacco, and tannins that emerge on the finish. Hold for 2-4 years and drink 2024-2042. Helmed by fourth generation winemaker Elisa Scavino, the estate owns and manages 30 hectares spanning eight of the 11 communes of the Barolo region and is based in Castiglione Falletto. Since 2007, they have implemented the use of a netted, submerged cap cylindrical system developed by Elisa’s father, Enrico, which achieves a delicate extraction during fermentation. They have moved to slower, longer fermentation periods, and as of 2018 will only be utilizing large casks. In the vineyard, there is great attention to the compression of the soils, creating a healthy ecosystem rich in oxygen and microorganisms and a sustainable approach.”
 

 
Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $89
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another gorgeous wine in the line up from the Scavino family. Readers will find a Barolo that is more nuanced and less bombastic than in the past. Bric del Fiasc has plenty of power on its own, so this style works so well. Dried rose petal, mint, spice, kirsch and iron all blossom with a bit of coaxing. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Bric Del Fiasc has pure aromatics of stony graphitic earth, licorice, violets, and cherry liqueur. The palate is balanced, with a full structure, noted by dried apricot, blood orange, and cinnamon. The Bric del Fiasc has both floral lift as well as noble structure and has a refreshing nature. Drink 2024-2046.”

 
Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $69
Paolo Scavino Carobric, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 8 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Carobric is one of the standouts in this range, as it often is. It has an extra dimension of depth and volume that works so well here. Sweet red cherry, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, anise and brambly notes build as this striking, expressive Barolo shows off its considerable charm. What a pretty wine it is.”
 
Paolo Scavino Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $66, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Monvigliero is classy and polished right out of the gate. Sweet dark cherry, rose petal, mint and cinnamon are some of the nuances that open in the glass. Even with all of its immediacy, the 2017 has plenty of tannin. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years. The 2017 is undoubtedly an attractive wine, but its best days lie ahead.”
 

 
Close-Out Sale Wine: Was $69
Paolo Scavino Prapo, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Prapò is yet another stellar wine in this range. Dark and brooding in the glass, the Prapò expresses all of the natural weight of this Serralunga cru, but with more overt fruit and a bit less tannic heft than is often the case. That should make the 2017 a real pleasure to drink, with just a handful of years in the cellar. Succulent black cherry, licorice, menthol, gravel and cured meats build into the heady finish.”
 

Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is dazzling. Deep, potent and virile, the 2017 has a lot to say, but it won’t be ready to drink anytime soon. Black cherry, graphite, licorice, smoke, game, lavender and licorice convey a real impression of gravitas that is reinforced by the wine’s overall feel. This powerhouse Barolo is magnificent today in a sort of old-school meets new-school style.”

 
Vietti
 
Vietti’s single-vineyard Barolos are the Grand Cru bottlings of the Barolo region. Described as “singular and iconic” by Kerry Winslow of Grapelive, or These wines offer a fantastic snapshot of Barolo’s terroir and style diversity while still demonstrating a definitive house style. Highly collectible on account of the limited amounts made, these are infants in the bottle that promise decades of enjoyment after they shed their baby fat.
 
Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, 2 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Sourced from an average of 54-year-old vines in Brunate of La Morra, the 2017 Barolo Brunate was aged for 32 months in large oak cask and barriques. It offers brooding aromas of licorice, dried currant, and cedar. Congruent on the palate with mineral-rich turned earth, there is a firmly built structure with balance. Drink 2024-2050.”
 

 
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From the southwest facing amphitheater of Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba the 2017 Barolo Lazzarito was aged for 30 months in a combination of large oak casks and barrique. The nose is layered with elegant spice and floral notes of cedar, red plum, and brushed leather. There is incredible balance within its structure, which has deceptive ease for early drinking. Hold 3-5 years or drink 2023-2046.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “Vietti’s 2017 Barolo Lazzarito is absolutely gorgeous. Whatever the challenges of the growing season, they appear to have been no problem here. More than anything else, the Lazzarito impresses with its magnificent depth and stature. Super-ripe red fruit, white pepper, mint, tobacco, cured meat, spice and rose petal open gradually with time in the glass. I would not be in a rush to open bottles anytime soon. The Lazzarito has been one of the most improved wines at Vietti for a number of years. The 2017 is so captivating.”
 

 
Vietti Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Located in Novello, from three hectares of the Ravera MGA with southwest exposure, the 2017 Barolo Ravera was aged for 32 months in large oak casks. It is forward and expressive with fresh pine, candied cranberry, orange oil, and aniseed. The palate is full of energetic tension, balance, and purity, with apricot pit, tea leaf and saline minerality. An inspiring wine to close out the Vietti 2017 lineup. Drink 2025-2050.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is a powerhouse. My impression is that the 2017 is going to develop into something truly special. It has all the energy that makes this site so distinctive, but with an extra kick of fruit density and a whole range of exotic aromatics that make for a truly drop dead gorgeous wine. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, chalk and white pepper build into a finish laced with searing intensity. This is such and impressive wine.”
 

 
Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione shows all the signatures of this site, all turned up to the maximum. I am not sure I have ever tasted a Vietti Castiglione with this much heft. Super-ripe dark red fruit, rose petal, mocha, dried herbs and menthol all build in an ample, resonant Barolo. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2017 for the next handful of years, perhaps longer. A whole range of floral and savory notes punctuates the explosive finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Aged for 30 months in large oak casks, the 2017 Barolo Rocche Di Castiglione is sourced from old vines planted in 1940, 1950, and 1968 with southeastern exposure. It has a soft perfume of kirsch, fresh rose petal, and fragrant rosemary. The palate is fresh and inviting with fine tannins and noted by anise, pomegranate, and dusty earth. It is pleasurable now or hold 3-5 years and drink 2023-2036.”