"Manzone turned out a fabulous set of 2021 Barolos ... Readers who enjoy savory, classically built Barolos informed by cooler microclimates will want to check these wines out." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Giovanni Manzone is one of Barolo's great hidden gems, and we're excited to kick our direct partnership with them into high gear with the fabulous 2021 vintage. Based in Monforte d'Alba, Manzone owns prime parcels in Castelletto and Gramolere, where today's pair of single-vineyard all-stars comes from.
"The 2021 Barolo Gramolere is deep, layered and super-expressive ... a drop-dead gorgeous beauty," declares Antonio Galloni of Vinous. This steep south/southwest-facing slope, situated between Castelletto and Bussia, is ideal Nebbiolo terroir, and the wines it produces are consistently classic in style. The rocky, with clay-calcareous soils are too poor to grow anything other than vines, so of course, we're talking about primo raw materials for stunning, single-cru Barolo. Galloni doesn't mince words about the Castelletto either: "This poised, dramatic Barolo has it all. It's one of the very finest wines I have tasted at this address in a very long time. Don't miss it." The 2021 rendition more than lives up to the hype with "a beguiling mix of aromatic intensity, fruit depth and structure." This steep, east-southeast-facing slope of sandy, calcareous soils yields a classical style of Barolo, and the incredible 2021 growing season puts its stamp on this monumental expression. A complete wine in every sense, the 2021 Castelletto is an ultimate Piedmont insider's score, standing with other Barolo masterpieces (like Sandrone's Le Vigne, Burlotto's Casteletto, and Vietti's Cerequio, to name a few) at a mere fraction of their prices.
We recently tasted the full range of Manzone 2021s, and they as quintessential in style as you could wish for from a great Barolo vintage – perfect fruit ripeness, exquisite aromatics, and textural brilliance, all in primary form and ready to evolve into something special.
The 2021 Barolo Gramolere is deep, layered and super-expressive. Blood orange, cinnamon, star anise and cedar give the 2021 a gorgeous, exotic aromatic flair. Plush and layered in the glass, with exceptional resonance, the Gramolere is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. The long, explosive finish invites a second taste, and then a third.
96 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Sep 2025)
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