The wines of Luciano Sandrone, Piedmont

Az Agr Luciano Sandrone, Via Alba 57, 12060 Barolo, Italy
Tel: 0173 560023 Fax: 0173 560907
Website: www.sandroneluciano.com E-mail: info@sandroneluciano.com
UK agents: Richards Walford (01780 460451, e-mail: katie@r-w.co.uk)

Luciano Sandrone is one of the leading producers in Barolo. Although he makes wines in quite a modern style, it would be unfair to characterize him simply as a modernizer: while his wines, which see around 10% new oak, are made in a style that makes them easy to appreciate in their youth, they still possess plenty of structure and power that makes them good candidates for long ageing. He’s a traditionalist in part, modernizer in part!

Sandrone began in 1978 and now has a production level that runs to some 8000 cases annually from his 22 hectares of vineyards. I love good Barolo, but I hate how much you have to pay for it. Sandrone's wines aren't the most expensive in Piedmont, but cost is a bit of a drawback here. Expect to pay £100 plus for a bottle of Barolo Cannubi Boschis, although the non-Barolo wines here are relatively affordable and very tasty.

In the UK they are stocked at Berry Bros, Raeburn, Uncorked and others, although the Barolos tend to be sold out en primeur. 

Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d’Alba 2000
From south-facing vineyards with a high proportion of sand, with vines planted at a very high density of 8000 per hectare. Malolactic is completed in 500–600 litre French oak barrels where the wine is aged. Relatively pale in colour. Open, sweet herbal nose with notes of tea and leather. Rich, ripe seamless palate with lovely intensity and a savoury, spicy edge. Very smooth and ‘integrated’. Very good/excellent 91/100

Sandrone Pemol Langhe Rosso 2000
Made from a combination of Nebbiolo (40%) and Barbera (60%) grapes aged in 500–600 litre French oak casks. Quite a herby, spicy nose. The palate is rich and ripe with spicy-edged, herby berry and black fruits. A satisfying wine. Very good+ 89/100

Sandrone Barolo ‘La Vigne’ 1999
Sandrone’s largest production Barolo, made from a blend of fruit from four vineyards. Complex spicy nose with sweet herby notes: forward and interesting. The palate is firmly structured with striking herbal complexity. Structured and firm with lots of potential, this is a bold wine. Very good/excellent 93/100

see also: tasting notes of Italian wines

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