Barolo “San Lorenzo di Verduno” 2015 – Pelassa.
The Pelassa family is no stranger to us, actually they featured as guests in our first edition of “Cellar Talks” (watch it here). In the meanwhile, we enjoyed some of their wines, but this Barolo we left alone for a while, until now. In this review one of the family’s most prestigious wines, the 2015 “San Lorenzo di Verduno” Barolo. Produced by Pelassa Wines.
About the Winery
Starting off with nothing in 1960 Mario Pelassa had a dream to build his own winery in Montà d’Alba. Together with his wife Maria Theresa they slowly build out the vineyards and winery with parcels in the Roero and Verduno-Barolo area. Their focus was, and is, on those varieties that are one with the region: Nebbiolo, Barbera and Arneis.
These days their sons Davide and Daniele are running the winery together with their families. They grew they winery and expanded the facilities, including a new tasting room for visitors about 2 years ago. Also little by little they started to focus more on export, which they now do with great success on multiple continents. Now the total size of their vineyards is about 15 hectares and they have been recognized by internationally acclaimed critics such as Robert Parker and James Suckling.
About the Wine
This Barolo is a single vineyard wine raised in one of the iconic Cru’s in the Barolo region: San Lorenzo. Located in the Village of Verduno this vineyard produces some of the finest Barolo’s in Piemonte, and the Pelassa family produces only a small volume (a few thousand) bottles of this flagship wine every year. Both Robert Parker and James Suckling have consistently rated this wine between 92-95 points in the past years.
The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in Slavonian and French wooden casks and barrels and ages for 4 years (2 in tonneaux and 1 year in stainless steel before bottling).
A clear ruby colour in the glass is followed by a nose that is beautifully perfumed. Delicate fruit notes tie together floral hints and earthiness like a pretty ribbon. This is a perfectly balanced wine, with silk smooth tannins and a little bitterness. The medium body is well structured and provides for a long-lasting impression, one that continues in the long legs of this wine and her aftertaste. A wine with great potential for ageing.
Conclusion:
To buy such a great wine, from one of the best Cru’s in the region, at this price is amazing. But not only that is a reason to get your hands on this wine. The Pelassa family is one of the few remaining boutique producers in a world that is increasingly dominated by big domains and corporates. What Davide and Daniele accomplished, building on the work of their father and mother, is amazing. Their care for the environment as well as the love for making wine shows beautifully in this glass!
This Barolo, and other wines from Pelassa, are imported in Belgium and the Netherlands by Ad Bibendum.
Price: €69,95
Taste date: December 2022
Score: 94/100 DWA Score
Website: Pelassa Wines