There are few other winemakers in Barolo who had more influence on the region’s current success than the late Luciano Sandrone. Even though he came into wine only in 1978 and made his first vintages in the family garage, his receptive approach to new ideas and his more ‘modern’ wines helped make him one of the elder statesmen of the Barolo Boys movement as they became contemporary templates for the region’s rise to prominence. Though Luciano sadly passed away three years ago, Sandrone, under the guidance of Luciano’s daughter Barbara and her two children Alessia and Stefano, continues to make wines that are sleek, intensely flavored and burnished to a fine finish, while at the same time still seeming very much cut from a more traditional cloth. While their wines from several of Barolo’s most important MGAs remain bellwethers, the Sandrones’ other wines—Dolcetto, Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore and Barbera—are far more than afterthoughts. In fact, I believe the Sandrone Barbera and Dolcetto are two of the most exciting examples of those varieties currently being made in the Langhe. Barbera, in particular, seems to thrive under the Sandrones’ soft, careful winemaking regimen.

The Barbera grape loves to soak up heat and in 2023 there was more than enough to go ‘round. Sourced from Sandrone vineyards in Barolo, Monforte d’Alba and Novello, the crop was kept heavy to subdue the potential alcohol and gently fermented in open steel tanks to preserve its dense fruit and great natural acidity. Aged in the winery’s signature 500-liter French tonneaux, the final wine is densely concentrated with a creamy, mouthfilling red-silk texture at only 14% ABV. There’s a gorgeous hit of densely packed black and red berries, dark, dusky plums and a long woodsy spice and loamy earth finish that makes this so very appealing to drink, even without food. Still, your next bowl of earthy, tomato-based pasta would be much happier with a glass of this alongside! Drink now or over the next five or six years. And the price! Sandrone has just undergone change in distributors and we are the happy recipients of a GREAT PRICE on the remaining inventory. This will sell out quickly.

Jeb Dunnuck, 93 points: Bottled in the middle of December 2024 and pouring a jeweled magenta/purple hue, the 2023 Barbera d'Alba offers a gorgeous lavender perfume, showing off a youthful note of sweet oak spice that frames the wine with a pretty touch of vanilla and fresh berries. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers a polished and silky texture, with lovely ripe purity and a long finish. This beautiful wine will cast a large net for enjoyment over the coming 7-10 years.

James Suckling, 93 points: Vinous and buttery aromas of bright red cherries and flowers. Full-bodied, it displays weight and density with supple fruit, bright black cherry flavors, lifted acidity and ripe, velvety tannins. Drink or hold.