Lalù Barolo Le Coste di Monforte 2020

Organic. Lalù farms just 0.5 hectares in one of Monforte’s great Crus, Le Coste di Monforte. With an average altitude of 420 metres, this south-facing vineyard is the highest and southernmost vineyard in Monforte. The site perfectly fits Lalù’s preference for finesse and openness. Although its 35-year-old vines lie parallel to the Ginestra and Mosconi Crus, Barolo from this vineyard is typically prettier and rounder than its neighbours—this being attributed to the unusually high content of sand layered throughout the region’s Sant’Agata marls.

This year, the Barolo was mostly destemmed and fermented in a tronconique oak vat. It spent one month on skins, including just over two weeks with the cap submerged in the juice. Aging was in large oak vats (from Austria and Alto Adige) for two years before eight months in concrete.

This release is only Lalù’s second Barolo and explains why there is already so much excitement surrounding this producer. Sandwiched by two classic Barolo vintages, the 2020 is a more perfumed, elegant and approachable year than those on either side, and none the worse for it!  Layered with spicy red fruit, woody herb and rose petal flavours, the palate builds towards a rewarding, sensual finish framed by round, chalky tannins and a gorgeous, dried flower note. There’s a hint of classy oak (from the rising star Mittelburger cooperage in Alto Adige), but it works without deflecting from the wine’s clarity and perfume, even at this early stage.