"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.
From Barolo's most revered vineyard comes a profound testament to Nebbiolo's nobility. The nose reveals sun-warmed strawberries and perfectly baked cherry tart, woven through with dried herbs and subtle earthen tones. The palate unfolds with vibrant rhubarb tang and freshly made mixed berry preserves, while precise acidity courses through like a silver thread. Already showing glimpses of evolution, the wine balances primary fruit with emerging secondary complexity. The palate is pure aristocracy, structured yet seamless, showcasing why Cannubi has been treasured for centuries. Here is completeness in a glass, a wine that carries both power and finesse with equal measure.
98 points, Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast (Sep 2025)
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