Great advice here. Only thing I can add is hook-up with retailers like WTSO. they offer many Brunello and Barolo and you will be able to grab the ‘one-offs’ on their Last/Premium offerings at bottom of site. Try one, try them all. I guarantee you will:
1.Learn
2.Have fun
I agree with Todd’s recos (we met over there, and he knows Ba-lo-lo, he’ll get that joke) and with Mike Pobega, but let me add a couple things:
I’ve been buying Ghisolfi and Rivetto Barolos from WTSO and LastBottle for a while, the Ghisolfis are definitely a standout for the price, Rivettos are also good, maybe not quite as good. But go for the straight Bussia from Ghisolfi, it’s traditional where the Visette sees barrique. Luisin makes a really good Rabaja (so, Barbaresco) that you can get through WTSO sometimes. La Ca Nova has got my attention now, too, for a good value play. Barale is also well priced for the base, and has a negociant line that has a Bussia cru Barolo for pretty good price.
Definitely also try those Langhe Nebbiolos, good way to get to know the makers.
Finally, on the BdM side, want to agree about Caparzo, but I also like Vitanza’s basic BdM, which ages nicely, and Poggio Salvi if you can get a decent price. It’s got some loose affiliation to Biondi-Santi, or did, I think.
I came across some 2016 Col d’Orica for $39 at Costco.
Sticking strictly to what you asked, for Barolo, Vietti Castiglione and Vajra Albe and for Brunello, Caprili, Carparzo, and Sesta.
However, if you are open to just Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, there are some very nice wines at similar pricing that I’d rather drink. Roagna Langhe Rosso, Felsina Rancia and some others mentioned above.
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Some good answers here. I think it is a matter of preference though. Do you like Brunellos on the darker fruit side or more red fruit? Do you like your Barolo’s more power or finesse? Do you like to drink them young or only aged?
I prefer vibrant red fruit to somewhere in the middle for Brunello. I also like to have some of both that are great young, while I buy others strictly for the long haul. I generally also drink within 2 years of release or not until 6+ years after release.
Brunellos
$35 - Cortonesi La Mannella - most affordable
$55 - Castello Romitorio $55.00 - vibrant red fruit
$55 - Talenti
$45 - Col D’Orcia
$48 - Tenute Silvio Nardi
Barolos
$33 - Lodali Bricco Ambrogio - great young (besides from WTSO this isn’t easy to find)
$38 - Schiavenza del Comune di Serralnga d’Alba - a bit more power and longevity
$40 - Oddero
Great to see a mention for Schiavenza. I think the wines are good for sure, but there appears a serious/steely (yet friendly) passion in the husband and wife team, that makes me think that they’re never going to stop looking for ways to improve. If I’m judging that right, then one to watch.
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Glad to hear someone on here likes the Cortonesi and the Lodali. I bought both (probably through WTSO) as value plays on the strength of the “ratings” of some trusted sources and a bit of research. First time for each, and I don’t tend to open any of these for years, so good to know I’m not holding cr@p.
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If you have the 2016 Lodali, depending how many you have, it might be worth cracking 1 now to see what you think. In their prime of youth right now with an hour of air. I bought 12, drank 3, will probably have 1 more in the next year. Probably wont open another after that until 2030ish. But this is coming from someone who also loves the virbrant fruit flavors of young nebbiolo and sangiovese.
Joseph, I agree. The Lodai was a good one offered. I purchased 3. Will hold my others for 2-3 years.
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Thanks for that comment, Joseph. I like young Nebbiolo (less so young Brunello), so I’ll give one of those a try. It’s also the first wine I’ve bought from that MGA as a standalone, so it’ll be interesting.
For value Brunello, I’m a long time fan of MOCALI -