"The 2021 Barolos (and the 2019 Riserva) find Brezza in fine shape. These firm, traditionally made Barolos will delight readers with classically leaning palates." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Our winery-direct relationship with Brezza once again pays huge dividends with the release of the highly anticipated 2021 single crus. By now, this modern benchmark vintage is on everyone's radar, and Brezza has undoubtedly captured the 2021 magic in their entire range, as our tasting last October confirmed. The smash hits of Sarmassa and Cannubi are towering efforts that weave together incredible terroir character and expert winemaking for collectible Barolos of the highest order.
Brezza's Cannubi holding is a 1.4-hectare parcel in the very heart of the cru, so it comes as no surprise that the 2021 "shows all the class and pedigree that has made this site famous" according to Kerin O'Keefe, whose own 97-point score is eclipsed by a 98 points from Wine Enthusiast, which describes it as "a profound testament to Nebbiolo's nobility ... completeness in a glass, a wine that carries both power and finesse with equal measure. The warm micro-climate of Sarmassa endows the wine with deep but balanced personality, with ideal phenolic ripeness being a typical hallmark of the vineyard. This 98-point stunner is "a wine that speaks of place with crystalline clarity," giving telltale signatures of the cru in every drop. Kerin O'Keefe likewise calls it "a gorgeous wine and great expression of this site," and there's no doubt that the magnificent 2021 vintage has turned out a truly special rendition of this long-time B-21 favorite. Finally, Brezza's prized south-facing plots in Sarmassa, Vigna Bricco, produced a marvelous Riserva in the acclaimed 2019 vintage that "brings together all the elements that make these wines so appealing, namely the elegance of Cannubi and then structure of the Sarmassa," according to Antonio Galloni. A concentrated, impressively built Riserva with stunning underlying tension, the 2019 is a hallmark cellar Barolo, made for a long evolution.
As thrilling as this trio is right now, you'll certainly want to stash bottles away and forget them for a while, because the rewards are sure to be as compelling as almost anything you'll find in these epic vintages, once the wines have time to reach their full potential.
The organic Brezza 2019 Barolo Riserva Sarmassa Vigna Bricco is a beautiful wine with a hint of evolution, a touch of sweetness, a dab of licorice and a lot of inner balance. It reveals a medium-plus texture with a soft, velvety finish. The Riserva sees the same winemaking process as the other wines in this range (with 10 months in stainless steel and 24 months in Slavonian oak casks), but it sees an extended 36 months in bottle. That's the main difference. Fruit comes from a south-facing slope, and that's what gives it more overall heft and concentration. Production is 2,584 bottles and 199 magnums.
95 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jun 2025)
The 2019 Barolo Riserva Sarmassa Vigna Bricco brings together all the elements that make these wines so appealing, namely the elegance of Cannubi and then structure of the Sarmassa. It's a combination that works so well. Crushed rose petal, mint, cinnamon, blood orange, kirsch and sage all lend notable complexity to this full-bodied, authoritative Barolo. The huge, building finish, with its alluring inner perfume, is a thing of real beauty. The Bricco bottling is a blend of south-facing parcels within Sarmassa.
95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2023)
A dark fruit spectrum unfolds in layers: oven-roasted black plums, grilled black figs, and slow-baked blackberries mingle with allspice and star anise. Black roses, dried and ready for pressing, lend an exotic perfume. The savory soul emerges on the palate, suggesting freshly unearthed porcini mushrooms and Piedmontese tar, though these elements are still coiled, waiting patiently for cellar time. This is a wine of profound depth and structure that promises decades of evolution. The inherent power is unmistakable, yet an underlying elegance speaks to this remarkable terroir's timeless heritage. Drink from 2026
95 points, Saki Kimura, Wine Enthusiast (Sep 2025)
Brezza’s Riserva hails from a 0.4ha, south-facing vineyard. When there is snow, this is where it melts first, which has long been an indication of a superior exposure. Aged two years longer in bottle than the annata Sarmassa, the 2019 has already settled into a captivatingly mature bouquet of leather, smoky black tea, and savoury forest floor. Spicy and robust, the palate demonstrates youthful vigour with tight-knit red berries. Confidently extracted, steely tannins should loosen at a measured pace, allowing for a long and rewarding drinking arch.
94 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Jan 2025)
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