Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

Barolo DOCG, Piemonte, Italy

Tasting Notes

Ruby red in colour with light orange reflections. On the nose, notes of small red fruits and flowers prevail. On the palate, an excellent tannic structure is accompanied by good freshness, providing fine balance and excellent persistence.

The 2022 growing season marked the second consecutive year of drought in Piedmont, a defining feature of the vintage. A snowless winter left soils with minimal water reserves, compounding the effects of the dry 2021 season. Warm early conditions led to an early budbreak that, fortunately, occurred during excellent flowering conditions with abundant sunshine and mild temperatures. Persistent dryness and summer heat reduced berry size and yields, producing small, concentrated clusters. While water stress slowed vine metabolism at at times, careful canopy management and residual soil moisture helped mitigate the most severe effects of the drought. The lack of seasonal rain resulted in anearly harvest, with Nebbiolo picked byearly October. The resulting wines reflect resilience in challenging conditions, displaying rich, concentrated fruit and aromatic purity - hallmarks of a high-quality vintage that should offer both immediate charm and the potential to age gracefully.

Harvest Date: October 6, 2022

Fermentation and Maceration: around 27 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic Fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in big French oak barrels, 6 months in bottle
Bottling: July 2025

Vineyard: Falletto, Village of Serralunga d’Alba
Exposure: Southwest
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Age of Vines: 32-34 years old

Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 15% vol.
pH: 3.57
Total Acidity: 5.50 g/L
Total Extract: 28.00 g/L
Bottles Produced: 7,160 (750mL)

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby red colour. The nose is dominated by notes of small red fruit, flowers and light spicy notes. On the mouth, an excellent structure accompanied by good freshness. Very good tannic balance.

The 2021 vintage was characterized by a mild winter with abundant precipitation, including snowfall, ensuring adequate water reserves for the entire growing cycle. An early spring cold spike caused some frost damage, most of which was minimized due to a late bud break. The frost damage resulted resulted in a 20% lower than average production and smaller berry sizes in more concentrated clusters. Spring experienced moderate temperatures and low rainfall that extended throughout the summer, with a few thunderstorms in June and July. This long period of excellent weather with moderate temperatures extended into harvest, allowing the small berries to reach excellent ripeness and balance. The wines of this vintage exhibit excellent structure, power and balance accompanied by a freshness that will ensure longevity.

Harvest Date: October 16, 2021

Fermentation and Maceration: around 25 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic Fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in big French oak barrels, 6 months in bottle
Bottling: July 2024

Vineyard: Falletto, Village of Serralunga d’Alba
Exposure: Southwest
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Age of Vines: 29-33 years old

Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 15% vol.
pH: 3.55
Total Acidity: 5.70 g/L
Total Extract: 28.9 g/L

Purchased in 1980, the Falletto estate is comprised of 13 hectares (32 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 Falletto wines are austere, elegant and complex on the nose, with excellent structure and suave tannins.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet in color. Showcasing elegant and fine aromas of fresh plum, cherry and spice notes, the wine is dense and structured with great freshness on the palate and well-balanced tannins.

When comparing the 2020 vintage to the previous ones, we can note an early budding which was caused by a mild winter with regular rain and above average temperatures. Sebsequently, thanks to a good water supply, due to a well distributed medium intensity of rainfall, and temperatures that reached seasonal averages, the vines were able to develop regularly during all of the phenological phases. All of this allowed a good control of fungal pathogens (oidiums and Peronospora) in the vineyards.

Harvest Date: October 9, 2020

Fermentation and Maceration: 25 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic Fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in French oak + 6 months in bottle
Bottling: July 2023

Vineyard: Falletto (village of Serralunga d'Alba)
Exposure: Southwest
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Age of Vines: 28-32 years old

Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 15% vol.
Total Acidity: 5.65 g/L
pH: 3.55
Total Extract: 28.5 g/L

Purchased in 1980, the Falletto estate is comprised of 13 hectares (32acres) 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 Falletto wines are austere, elegant and complex on the nose, with excellent structure and suave tannins.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet in color. Showcasing elegant and fine aromas of fresh plum, cherry and spice notes, the wine is dense and structured with great freshness on the palate and well-balanced tannins.

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.

Harvest Date: October 16, 2019

Fermentation and Maceration: 25 days in stainless steel vats
Malolactic Fermentation: completely developed
Refinement: 32 months in French oak + 6 months in bottle
Bottling: August 2022

Vineyard: Falletto (village of Serralunga d'Alba)
Exposure: Southwest
Yield: 45 hL/ha
Age of Vines: 25-29 years old

Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
Total Acidity: 5.60 g/L
pH: 3.60
Total Extract: 29.5 g/L

Purchased in 1980, the Falletto estate is comprised of 13 hectares (32acres) 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 Falletto wines are austere, elegant and complex on the nose, with excellent structure and suave tannins.

Tasting Notes

Red garnet in color. Showcasing elegant and fine aromas of fresh plum, cherry  and spice notes, the wine is dense and structured with great freshness on the  palate and well-balanced tannins.

The 2017 vintage will be a year to remember for the challenges that growers faced from Mother Nature, namely  hot weather and very little rain. Surprisingly, the wines produced do not show any notes of over-ripeness commonly  found in a hot year. This balance in the wines is attributed to the stark temperature swings with cool summer nights  tempering the hot days. The Barbaresco is fruit-driven with good acidity, and the Barolo is rich and austere.

  • Grape variety: Nebbiolo
  • Subarea: Falletto (village of Serralunga d’Alba)
  • Vineyard exposure: Southwest
  • Age of vines: 23-27 years old
  • Yield: 45 hL/ha
  • Harvest date: September 25, 2017
  • Fermentation and maceration: 20 days in stainless steel vats
  • Malolactic fermentation: completely developed
  • Refinement: 30 months in Botti cask of French oak, 6 months in bottle
  • Bottling: July 2020
  • Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
  • Total acidity: 5.40 g/L
  • pH: 3.53
  • Total extract: 28.7 g/L
  • Optimal period for consumption: 2021-2045

  • 20251028

    97

    points

    Vinous, October 2025

    "A rich, explosive wine, the 2021 Barolo Falletto is heady from the first taste. Spice, menthol, licorice, camphor and dried herbs infuse the palate with captivating depth and nuance. This opens beautifully with time in the glass, showing all the power and regal intensity these wines were once known for. Best of all, the 2021 will drink well with minimal cellaring, as the tannins are already quite polished. Superb."

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  • 20250924

    97

    points

    Wine Spectator, September 2025

    "Supple in texture and loaded with finesse, this Barolo exudes flavors of raspberry, cherry, rose, iron, tar and spices, with a hint of licorice. The dense, fine-grained tannins emerge as this winds down on the long, languid aftertaste. Vibrant and complex. Best from 2029 through 2050."

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  • 20250501

    97

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, May 2025

    "The 2021 Barolo Falletto comes from the lower portion of the slope and was aged for 34 months in big barrels and then six months in bottle. In the glass, it pours a jeweled red hue with a bit more pigment than the Barbaresco and is spicy on the nose, with a compelling feel in its notes of spiced cherries, fresh herbs, smoky incense, and hints of fresh leather. The palate is medium-bodied, with lovely purity and clarity that was a consistent thread throughout all the wines at this tasting. It features ripe tannins with a noble yet elegant feel, as the fruit shines brightly and carries through to a long and even finish. As it opens, it showcases its more noble structure, along with the ability to age over the next two to three decades."

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  • 20250324

    98

    points

    Decanter, March 2025

    "In the far southeast of Barolo, Giacosa’s 9ha monopoly shines in 2021. Made from vines with an average age of 35 years, Falletto flirts rather than flaunts. Red and black currants establish a backdrop from which iron, sage, bay leaf and liquorice root arise. Elegance, polish and precision are impeccably demonstrated, as is immense freshness, with racy acidity giving mouth cleansing vibrancy and energy. The tannins are fine-grained and silky, building up steadily in dignified strength around a core of pulverised stone. Pressed rose and lilac perfume the finish. 6,820 bottles and a few hundred magnums produced. The red label Riserva Vigne Le Rocche 2021 will be released in 2027."

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  • 20250130

    97

    points

    Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2025

    "You feel the signature of an elegant vintage in the superbly direct and focused Bruno Giacosa 2021 Barolo Falletto. This beautiful wine offers bright berry fruit, blue flower and crushed stone. This is a complete wine, with aromatic intensity that is matched to the depth of mouthfeel and structure. We can expect a red label Barolo Riserva Falletto Vigna Le Rocche from the 2020 vintage to be released in 2026 and a 2021 edition to be released in 2027. That will certainly be something to look forward to. The Riserva was previously made in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017."

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  • 20240816

    98

    points

    James Suckling, August 2024

    "This is all about purity, with cherries, strawberries, spices, sandalwood, iodine, seashells and black truffles on the nose. Full-bodied but so balanced and focused, with layering and vertically that go on and on. The nebbiolo character is intense and gorgeous. Some pure fruit at the end, with notes of flint and gunpowder. Best after 2027, but it’s already a joy to taste."

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  • 20240828

    94

    points

    Wine Spectator, August 2024

    "Strawberry, cherry, rose, eucalyptus and stony mineral flavors are framed by dense, fine-grained tannins in this graceful, firmly structured red. Elegant and very Burgundy in profile, with a vibrant character and excellent length. Best from 2028 through 2046."

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  • 20240816

    97

    points

    James Suckling, August 2024

    "The depth and beauty of this are so enticing and attractive that you want to drink the whole bottle. It’s medium- to full-bodied with cherries, strawberries and white truffles. Juicy and precise, with a real presence and complexity as it opens. Best after 2027, but already gorgeous."

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  • 2023-11-30

    94

    points

    Wine Spectator, November 2023

    "Strawberry, cherry, rose, juniper, wild herbs and mineral combine in this complex, elegant Barolo, which is backed by lively acidity and a solid spine of tannins. Overall, this is balanced and long, with a reserve that should serve it well over the long term. Best from 2027 through 2047. 225 cases imported."

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  • 2021-12-15

    94

    points

    Wine Spectator, December 2021

    "This is broad and open-knit, offering plum, cherry, eucalyptus, juniper, licorice, tar and tobacco flavors. Dense tannins add grip as this turns more compact on the finish. The smooth texture and balance bode well for the future. Best from 2025 through 2046"

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  • 2021-04-13

    97

    points

    James Suckling, April 2021

    "Sweet berries, smoke, cedar and olives on the nose. Floral. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a pretty background and ripe fruit. Flavorful finish. Hints of bitter citrus and smoke, too. Very complex. Powerful for Falletto. Drink after 2026."

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

2022 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Tasting Notes

2021 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Label

2021 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Tasting Notes

2020 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – 97 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2020 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – 97 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2020 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – 94 points, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

2020 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – 94 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

2020 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Tasting Notes

2019 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – 94 points, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

2019 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Tasting Notes

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto-Sell Sheet-JS97

2017 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Tasting Notes

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto – Bottle

Bruno Giacosa Photography – Bruno and Bruna Giacosa

Bruno Giacosa Photography – Harvest

Bruno Giacosa Photography – Harvest 2

Bruno Giacosa Photography – Estate