Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

Barolo DOCG, Piemonte

Purchased in 1980, the Falletto estate is comprised of 10.5 hectares (26 acres) in the commune of Serralunga d’Alba. Considered by Bruno Giacosa as the best area for producing elegant and long-lived Barolos, the Falletto vineyard is southwest facing on steep slopes of calcareaous clay soils in an amphitheater shape. The estate features a single plot known as Vigna Le Rocche, which contains the oldest vines and produces wines that are vinified and bottled separately from the rest of the estate. The Falletto wines are austere, elegant and complex on the nose, with excellent structure and suave tannins.

Tasting Notes

Intense red garnet color. The bouquet is intense and elegant, with floral notes such as rose and fruity notes of blackcurrants, pomegranate and raspberries. On the palate it is structured with excellent tannic plot that enhances roundness and persistency.

Early reports of the 2019 vintage have described it as a classic year. A cold, wet spring slowed vine growth and the persistent rain made rot and disease a threat. However, despite the added risks, the rains gave the soils the much-needed water to survive the summer months. June delivered a fantastic summer with the hot, dry days lasting through to August when a hailstorm broke loose. Good conditions swiftly picked up again and idyllic weather continued into September.

Fermentation and Maceration: 25 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic Fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in French oak + 10 months in bottle
Bottling: August 2022

Vineyard: Falletto – Le Rocche (village of Serralunga d’Alba)
Exposure: South - Southwest
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Age of Vines: 47 years old

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
Total Acidity: 5.50 g/L
pH: 3.60
Total Extract: 30 g/L

Purchased in 1980, the Falletto estate is comprised of 10.5 hectares (26 acres) in the commune of Serralunga d’Alba. Considered by Bruno Giacosa as the best area for producing elegant and long-lived Barolos, the Falletto vineyard is southwest facing on steep slopes of calcareaous clay soils in an amphitheater shape. The estate features a single plot known as Vigna Le Rocche, which contains the oldest vines and produces wines that are vinified and bottled separately from the rest of the estate. The Falletto wines are austere, elegant and complex on the nose, with excellent structure and suave tannins.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet color with orange glints. Elegant and intense on the nose with notes of blackcurrants, pomegranate, raspberries and rose petal. On the palate, the wine showcases good structure, a full body, and velvety tannins.

This vintage started with an early budding of the vines followed by a normal spring and a very hot summer, especially during the month of July, with temperatures much higher than normal. The wines made from the Nebbiolo grape in this vintage are fragrant and distinctly fruity with a good tannic plot and a medium to high structure.

Fermentation and maceration: 24 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in 110hL Botti cask of French oak, 8-10 months in bottle
Bottling: August 2018

Subarea: Falletto (village of Serralunga d'Alba)
Vineyard: Le Rocche
Vineyard exposure: South/southwest
Age of vines: 42 years old
Yield: 45 hL/ha

Grape variety: Nebbiolo Alcohol: 14.75% vol.
Total acidity: 5.40 g/L
pH: 3.60
Total extract: 30 g/L

Bruno Giacosa’s winemaking philosophy combines a respect for tradition and conservative winemaking with the selected use of modern technology to obtain the best expression of each vineyard’s terroir. He is convinced that great wines begin in the vineyard with the production of grapes cultivated by experienced growers. This belief pushes him to improve quality with every harvest. In the cellar, the goal is to produce a wine that maintains its identity from vine to bottle, so winemaking methods are traditional and in full respect of the grape’s typical characteristics.

Tasting Notes

Complex nose of rose petal, ripe fruit, orange peel, tobacco and spice lead to a palate that is generous and full-bodied, but still precise and elegant.

Fermentation and maceration: 15 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in large, 110hL Botti cask of French oak, 8 months in bottle
Bottling: July 2016

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Subarea: Falletto (village of Serralunga d'Alba)
Vineyard: Le Rocche
Vineyard exposure: South
Age of vines: 40 years old
Yield: 45 hL/ha

Grape variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.50% vol.
Total acidity: 5.70 g/L
pH: 3.57
Total extract: 29.6 g/L

Bruno Giacosa’s winemaking philosophy combines a respect for tradition and conservative winemaking with the selected use of modern technology to obtain the best expression of each vineyard’s terroir. He is convinced that great wines begin in the vineyard with the production of grapes cultivated by experienced growers. This belief pushes him to improve quality with every harvest. In the cellar, the goal is to produce a wine that maintains its identity from vine to bottle, so winemaking methods are traditional and in full respect of the grape’s typical characteristics.

Tasting Notes

Complex nose of rose petal, ripe fruit, orange peel, truffle and spice lead to a palate that is generous and full-bodied, but still precise and elegant.

  • Grape variety: Nebbiolo
  • Alcohol: 14.50% vol.
  • Total acidity: 5.35 g/L
  • pH: 3.61

  • 2023-11-30

    95

    points

    Wine Spectator, November 2023

    "This round, rich red is laced with cherry, raspberry, iron, earth and underbrush aromas and flavors. There's a firm structure, with burly yet well-integrated tannins providing support and the ability to age. Overall, this is balanced and long, with a persistent aftertaste of fruit, mineral and savory notes. Best from 2027 through 2048. 225 cases imported."

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  • 2019-06-30

    96

    points

    Wine Spectator, June 2019

    "It takes a few seconds to access the core of fruit in this taut, sinewy red, but there is a beam of pure cherry, accented by rose, wild juniper, thyme and licorice flavors. This turns elegant and supple in the end, with terrific complexity, harmony and minerally length. Best from 2023 through 2046. From Italy"

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  • 2019-06-28

    94

    points

    Wine Advocate, June 2019

    "Bottled in July of last year, the 2015 Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche is a daring and absolutely profound expression of Nebbiolo with the depth, thickness and volume you can expect from a warm vintage such as this. This wine is a veritable bomb of aromatic intensity with thick layers of dark fruit, spice and crushed stone that all vie for your attention in equal measure. The mouthfeel is characterized by thick fiber and lasting succulence, all capped with fresh acidity and a firm tannic backbone. This Barolo is classic Giacosa."

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  • 2019-01-25

    100

    points

    James Suckling, January 2019

    "I am lost for words with this wine. Perfumed and so elegant with the most exquisite aromas of roses, plums and earth. Yet always subtle and complex. Full body, ultra-fine and firm tannins. Upgraded. Fantastic finish that lasts for minutes. Try in 2026"

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  • 2018-09-24

    99

    points

    James Suckling, September 2018

    "Subtle and complex aromas of roses, rose stems and meat. Highly perfumed. Extremely pretty, subtle fruit, yet a solid core of tannins holding it all together. Full-to medium-bodied with a chewy mouth feel and a long and persistent finish. Lots of black cherries and walnuts in the aftertaste. Try in 2024."

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  • 2017-09-07

    95

    points

    Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, September 2017

    "Cherry and strawberry fruit is supported by leather, licorice, mineral and tar flavors in this red, starting out detailed and elegant, turning firm and unyielding by the finish. Though assertive, the tannins stay within bounds, and this finds equilibrium in the end. Best from 2022 through 2045. 1,150 cases made"

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  • 2017-07-11

    97

    points

    James Suckling, James Suckling, July 2017

    "This is incredibly powerful and structured with so much tannin backbone and ripe fruit. Aromas of plums and hazelnuts. Full-bodied and chewy. Fabulous finish. Needs three to four years to come together. Great wine. No Falleto was made in 2013. Only Le Rocche. Available in January 2017."

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  • 2017-06-30

    95

    points

    Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, June 2017

    "The recent evolution of this wine is a bit confusing. After the 2009 Barolo le Rocche del Falletto was released, the wine was not made in 2010 or 2011. The following year, we got the 2012 Barolo Falletto that I scored last year. We now return to the series with the 2013 Barolo Falleto Vigna Le Rocche—which is, of course, the white label wine. The wine shows extremely elegant and fine characteristics with a dry and streamlined approach. Fruit tones on offer are delicate and nuanced. White truffle, balsam herb, violet and licorice are folded within. The wine was a little reticent when I tasted it and it definitely needs more time to flesh out in the bottle."

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  • 2013-09-01

    93

    points

    Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, September 2013

    "From one of Barolo’s iconic houses, this wine is more delicately structured and forward than usual but still bears Giacosa’s hallmark fi­nesse and complexity. It has mesmerizing perfumes of rose, violet, cherry, strawberry and hints of cedar. The palate shows lively cherry, mineral and spice notes, and has a smooth, silky texture. Drink now or hold 10 years for more complexity."

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  • 2013-06-01

    95

    points

    Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, June 2013

    "The 2009 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto comes from a south-facing parcel with steep slopes for well-draining soils. The vines are approximately 35 years old. There-s a touch of extra ripeness here, even a hint of strawberry, backed by rich berry fruit, cassis and blackberry. The wine shows its most elegant side in the mouth, where the firming, polished tannins give the wine backbone and grace. It-s deliciously silky and extra fine with microscopic precision. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036."

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  • 2013-06-01

    95

    points

    Joe D'Angelo, International Wine Report, June 2013

    "The 2009 ‘Le Rocche del Falletto’ Barolo from Bruno Giacosa is a wine of pure elegance. It brings a wonderful, pure expression of Nebbiolo fruit, with aromas of candied strawberries, wild cherries, rose petals, sweet herbs and licorice notes. This is well structured around fine, silky tannins ending with incredible length. However, patience will be required here, as this will need time to develop further in bottle, but this has remarkable potential and a wine I would love to revisit in the future. (Best 2018-2029)"

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2019 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – 95 points, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

2019 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Tasting Notes

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Bottle

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Tasting Notes

2015 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Label

2013 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Tasting Notes

2013 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Label

2009 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche – Label

2009 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Vigna le Rocche – Tasting notes

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