Azelia - Barolo DOCG - Serralunga - Cru Margheria - 2019

On the nose intense dark red fruit, pronounced rusty minerality ("rusty nail"), subtle floral notes such as sweet violets, liquorice, roses and smoky wood, complex aromas of red berries, citrus, green strawberry, hammered gold and morello cherry

In the mouth a firm structure with dark fruit notes and tight tannins, refined, fresh tannins, medium body and a crisp, pure fruit accompaniment with cherry, raspberry, spices, citrus, roses, and dried herbs

The vineyard is located in the municipality on a southwestern slope, at an altitude of approximately 370 m. The vineyard covers a total of 2.3 hectares. The vines were planted in the 1960s, at a density of 4,300 vines per hectare. The soil is very poor, white calcareous clay, with tufa-like marl.

The vines are pruned according to the Guyot training system. The vineyard is managed biodynamically.

The 2019 vintage is considered a good to very good one, with rainy spring weather. Harvesting took place entirely by hand at the end of October, with continuous, careful selection of the grapes; only the very best were picked for this wine. Harvesting also took place in several rounds. The wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts; maceration lasted 50–60 days. The wine matured in large oak Slavonian barrels (botti) for 30 months (2.5 years). Further refinement of the wine took place in the bottle for at least six months in the estate's cellars.

About Azelia:

Azelia is a captivating family winery operating in the Langhe region for five generations. With a care for terroir, respect for tradition, and a subtle openness to modernity, Luigi and Lorenzo Scavino craft wines that offer perfect balance: elegance, structural depth, and drinkability. The combination of old grapes, biodynamic techniques, and craftsmanship produces top-notch Barolo wines with character—often at surprisingly reasonable prices.

95+/100 Points Robert Parker

Azelia makes three wines with fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, including San Rocco, Cerretta and this wine. There is also a Riserva from Bricco Voghera. The 2019 Barolo Margheria comes from a southwest facing slope opposite the Perno Vineyard. The site has very poor soils with white clay, and the vines (aged 65 years old on average) are forced to push their roots very deep as a result. This wine has a tight and very firm personality with dark fruit, rusty nail, dusty mineral and tight structure. Those rusty mineral aromas give it away as Serralunga d'Alba.

94/100 Points James Suckling

Very pure fruit with citrus, raspberry and green strawberry aromas and flavors. Medium body, fine and fresh tannins and crisp finish. Crunchy. Drinkable but better in two or three years.