Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne 2011

The wine in this vintage

Early and warm, the 2011 vintage in the Langhe brought a mild spring and a summer with heat peaks in late August, leading to an early harvest and wines with generous fruit and soft tannins. Barolo Le Vigne 2011 reflects this sunny character with ripe cherry, plum, faded rose, liquorice and sweet spice, supported by a full structure and good freshness. Jancis Robinson awarded it 18/20 and Wine Spectator 95 points. Despite the approachable nature of the vintage, the wine is still developing and has not yet reached its peak: a few more years in the cellar will let it gain complexity and harmony.

The producer · Azienda Agricola Luciano Sandrone

Luciano Sandrone's story is that of a grower who built one of the most respected names in the Langhe from scratch. After years as a cellar hand for other wineries, he bought a first small plot in the Cannubi Boschis cru in 1977 and the following year vinified his first Barolo with the simplest of means and a very clear idea of style. From that nucleus the estate grew carefully, joined by his brother Luca and daughter Barbara, who now carry his vision forward. The Sandrone style has been influential: precisely vinified Nebbiolo, aged in tonneaux and medium-sized casks, combining the transparency and depth of classic Barolo with clear-cut fruit and consistently polished tannins. The signature wines are Aleste, the Barolo from Cannubi Boschis, and Le Vigne, a blend of several vineyards across different communes of the appellation. Through its Sibi et Paucis project the estate also holds back part of each vintage, releasing it after years of further ageing in its cellars.

Critics' scores

• 95 Wine Spectator
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
• 18/20 Jancis Robinson

Technical details

Producer

Azienda Agricola Luciano Sandrone

Region

Piemonte

Country

Italia

Type

Rosso

Vintage

2011

When to drink

Not yet at its peak

Critics' average

94.5/100

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

0050111