THE ODDERO CRUS

The much-anticipated offer of the 2021 Oddero Barolos is here. These wines, from one of the most important vintages ever at this seminal La Morra cantina, will arrive this August, before any of the tariff shenanigans kick in, so please take advantage of the pre-arrival pricing while you can.  Very exciting! 

I was so impressed with these 2021s from Poderi e Cantine Oddero. I suppose I should not be surprised, given where the wines have been over the last handful of years, but at the same time, I can't forget the enormous strides the Oddero family has made over that period. Readers will find wines that express all the best the vintage had to offer. The straight Barolo is a fabulous introduction to the range. From there, the wines just get better and better. The highlights are many. This year, I was especially struck by the Villero, a truly magnificent Barolo. It is a blend of two tanks, one of which was done with submerged cap maceration that lasted 70 days. The wines are aged in cask for around 20-23 months. Brunate, Oddero's smallest holding, is naturally aged in a smaller cask, and sees a bit less time in oak in order to soften any overt wood character. It is another exceptional wine in this lineup. As is the Barolo Rocche di Castiglione. I would be thrilled to own these wines.- Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

2021 Barolo Monvigliero (Verduno) $119.99, Post Arrival $135.00

The Odderos’ parcel abuts Burlotto’s and echoes the amazing polish and floral nature of their iconic Monvig, but with a dash of that typical Oddero austerity and introspection. This, the second vintage from this vineyard, is a must-have for collectors as well as all lovers of Barolo. This is an amazing addition to the portfolio. Only 140 cases were produced.

Vinous Media: The 2021 Barolo Monvigliero is a classy, elegant wine that captures all the pedigree of this great site. Silky, aromatic and light on its feet, the 2021 is sublime, Orange peel, mint and kirsch all take shape in a classy, translucent Barolo that delivers the goods. This is such a gorgeous and complete wine. Sadly, production was just 1700 bottles. 96 points

2021 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (Castiglione Falletto)  $119.99, Post Arrival $135.00

Maybe the most ‘typical’ of the Oddero style, this is remarkably consistent vintage after vintage. All camphor, balsam and cinnamon. Considerable oomph in 2021.

Vinous Media: The 2021 Barolo Rocche is a classic wine from this site. Vibrant, focused and finely cut, the 2021 dazzles with finesse. Crushed rocks, mint, slate, white pepper and orange peel all race across the palate. The 2021 Rocche is everything Barolo is- everything it can be. I especially admire its intense saline energy. This is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. 97 points

2021 Barolo Villero (Castiglione Falletto)  $119.99, Post Arrival $135.00

This is my guilty pleasure Oddero- always so exotically fragrant and very Villero to its core! While the 2020 was a showboat at this stage, the 2021 currently exhibits a lot more gravitas and reticence. This will, someday, be a freaking incredible wine! 

Vinous: The 2021 Barolo Villero soars from the glass with intensely spiced, balsamic-tinged aromatics. Deceptively medium in body, with superb persistence and class, the 2021 is simply magnificent. Beams of tannin shape the unforgettable, persistent finish. This is another wines that demands patience. The Villero is not an easy wine, rather it is a Barolo that offers a more inward, at times intellectual expression of Nebbiolo. 98 points

2020 Barolo Brunate (La Morra)  $152.99, Post Arrival $170.00

From the very highest point in Brunate, this is a powerful, still introverted wine that needs time to unwind and find its equilibrium.

Vinous: The 2021 Barolo Brunate is another stellar wine in this range of magnificent 2021s from Oddero, Dark and intensely balsamic, this is an archetype of Brunate. Black cherry, blood orange, spice, menthol and new leather open with reticence. Today, I find the 2021 rather compact. Then again, this is Brunate, Readers will want to give this a few years in the cellar at a minimum. 97 points

2010 Barolo Vignarionda Riserva ‘Library Release’ (Serralunga d’Alba) $299.99, Post Arrival N/A

I always ask the Odderos to send us something from the cellar, but I never expected Isabella to send us any of this! At 15 years past the harvest, this is bottled poetry! Still on its upward slope, but the sheer magnificence of Vignarionda is, nonetheless, on full display! What a wine. Drink now because, hell, it’s 15 years old, but this will march stride for stride with any wine the Odderos have ever made for as long as you’ve got!

VERY LIMITED