Barolo Riserva Villero 2012

Vietti's Barolo Riserva Villero 2012 is the 13th edition of one of the rarest and most celebrated Barolo Riservas, produced only about once every four years in vintages judged exceptional.

The 2012 also marks an important stylistic turning point: for this vintage Luca Currado chose to carry out malolactic fermentation in large casks rather than in barriques — the same approach introduced in 2010 for the Ravera — consolidating a return to the most classic and territorial tradition. The result is a wine of great elegance and finesse, with a more floral and luminous profile than the previous vintages.

The grapes from the Villero cru were harvested on 2 October 2012 by hand. The vines had an average age of 43 years and the yield was around 52 hectolitres per hectare — more generous than in 2010, reflecting the character of a warm and ripe vintage. The 2012 in the Langhe was a vintage with early and uniform ripening, producing wines of good colour and generous fruit. Vietti describes the 2012 as a vintage with 'particular climatic variations', with significant temperature swings in the last ten days of September that helped to preserve acidity and aromatic profile.

In the cellar: alcoholic fermentation in steel tanks with maceration of 10-15 days on the skins. The distinctive element of the 2012: malolactic fermentation was carried out in large casks — no longer in barriques as in previous vintages — marking an important stylistic change towards a greater integration of the wood and a more traditional profile.

Ageing continued in oak casks of around 27 hectolitres for a period of 32-48 months. Bottled without filtration. Each label is numbered by hand and applied with cold glue, as per Vietti tradition.

On the nose the Villero 2012 reveals an unusual and very seductive profile for this cru: it is particularly floral and oriented towards red and fruity tones, with notes of redcurrant, fresh cherry, rose petals, fine herbs and a precise underlying minerality. Less dark and balsamic than the previous vintages, but of great personality and aromatic clarity. With time in the bottle, notes of truffle and tobacco emerge.

On the palate it is lean, elegant and lively: according to Antonio Galloni 'light on its feet, fresh and graceful to its core'. The Villero tannins are present and precise, the acidity is bright and lively, the finish long with fruity and mineral returns. It is already enjoyable today and will continue to evolve until 2030 and beyond. A Villero for those who love grace over power.