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
Back to top
|