G.B. Burlotto - Barolo Acclivi 2019

Burlotto is the flagship producer from Barolo’s Verduno area. This is a property of enormous historic importance, fabulously delicious wines, and outstanding value. 

The Commendatore Giovan Battista Burlotto, one of Barolo's great characters, founded the estate back in 1850. The labels still commemorate the royal house of Savoy’s fondness for Burlotto wines, as well as the winery’s exclusive presence on Duke Luigi Amedeo's 1899 North Pole expedition. The Duke lost two fingers to frostbite, but wrote to the Commendatore a year and a half into the trip that “[t]he wine has been conserved in perfect condition.” G.B. Burlotto was also a pioneer of selling wine in bottle (rather than in cask or demijohn), as well as a champion of a now-rare but still-ravishing grape, Pelaverga Piccolo.

Four generations later, G.B.’s great-great-nephew, Fabio Alessandria, has changed little at the winery, doing some of the crush by foot, fermenting the wine in upright wooden vats, using indigenous yeast and little temperature control. We love these wines for their history, but even more for their diversity, their pure fruit, delicate structure, and signature Verduno floral aromatics and spicy palate.

The family's single-vineyard Barolos, especially the culty Monvigliero, are some of Piedmont's most lauded wines, critical and collector favorites year-in and year-out. But they continue to make extraordinary wines for Piedmont's more humble grapes (including Dolcetto, Barbera and of course, that Pelaverga), wines that don't attempt to turn those grapes into Nebbiolo blockbusters but rather that show their unique charms and terroir transparency. The sheer drinkability of these "lesser" wines is is tremendous, and the pricing for such special bottles from such top-rank grower, is shockingly accessible.

“The 2019 Barolo Acclivi is ripe with fresh raspberry, fresh sage, cinnamon, and wild roses. It takes on more depth and concentration and is long and elegant on the palate, with fine tannins and fresh notes of grenadine, dusty earth, and dried flowers. Long on the palate, cleansing and refined, with apricot and fresh citrus, this wine is drinking wonderfully at all its stages and is one of the more exceptional wines in the range for its balance.” - 99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“The Comm. G.B. Burlotto 2019 Barolo Acclivi is a selection of fruit from old vines in the best positions in Verduno. Specifically, it is a blend of fruit from Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo. The bouquet opens to elegant floral intensity with wild rose, violet, orange peel and delicate berry. This wine feels very alive thanks to the lifted and delicate nature of its aromas. The finish is silky, with melting tannins and terrific length. Wines from Verduno tend to show a combination of floral intensity and spiciness, but this vintage of Acclivi is partial to the floral side of the equation.” - 97 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Perfumed and expressive, this red exudes rose, strawberry, cherry and mineral aromas and flavors. Detailed and complex, with terrific harmony and finesse. The long aftertaste echoes the floral, fruit and mineral elements. Shows the graceful, sophisticated side of Barolo. Best from 2026 through 2045. 650 cases made.” - 96 Points, Wine Spectator

Producer: G.B. Burlotto

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Barolo

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml