97+/100 Points Robert Parker, Cru Barolo from the five-star vintage 2021.
A light ruby-red wine with granite glints. The nose offers delicate, intense aromas of rose and violet, ripe red fruits (cherry, raspberry), subtle spice, and a touch of wet earth/tar. The floral notes are typical of Brunate and add elegance to the fullness. On the palate, the wine is taut, lively, and has a delightful length. Red cherry and berry notes with a spicy, slightly balsamic undertone; light mineral hints and a long, refined finish with silky tannins.
The vineyard is an official MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) - Cru: Brunate (located in the municipality of La Morra), at an altitude of around 300 meters and with a southeast exposure. The vineyard is only 0.4 hectares in size, planted in the mid-1960s. The planting density is 4,500 vines per hectare. The vines are pruned according to the Guyot system. Production is approximately 2,000 bottles. The Oddero vineyard is located in the highest areas of Brunate, renowned for its elegance and floral signature. The soil is primarily fossilized marl from the Tortonian, which contributes to the finesse, floral aromas, and a chalky/mineral profile.
The 2021 vintage experienced a mild, wet winter (good water reserves), with local April frosts resulting in slightly lower yields than usual. This resulted in a long, sunny late summer with cool nights, and a quiet, late harvest from early to mid-October, with ample flexibility for optimal phenolic ripeness. The result: clear aromatic precision, energetic acidity, and ripe, refined tannins. After harvest, the grapes were rigorously hand-selected for quality, then gently pressed and destemmed. The first natural fermentation took place for 25 days at a controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation took place in December. The wine matured for 30 months in large 20 hectoliter French oak barrels. After this, the wine was bottled and refined in the bottle for at least 12 months in the estate's cellars.
Oddero's working method guarantees terroir expression and finesse above oak influence.
Wine and food pairing -
* Piemonte classics: tajarin al ragù, brasato al Barolo, plin with butter & sage, veal shank.
* Autumn/game: venison or roe deer with mushrooms; risotto with truffle.
* Cheeses: aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Castelmagno, aged Pecorino.
Serving suggestion: 16–18 °C, large glass; decant while young (60–90 min).
About Oddero and why Oddero matters:
As an early bottler from the 19th century and guardian of some of the most coveted crus, Oddero is a benchmark for Barolo, offering depth, elegance, and ageing potential. A house where La Morra's finesse beautifully blends with the power of Serralunga and Castiglione Falletto. The company is currently led by the sixth generation, with the seventh generation already on board.
