Ratings & Tasting Notes:
97 points Kerin O’Keefe
Review Date: 09/2014
From one of the most hallowed vineyard sites in Barolo, this structured, compelling wine opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, leather, anisette, cooking spices and balsamic notes. The vibrant palate weaves together dark cherry, black raspberry, licorice, mint and black pepper alongside brooding, bracing tannins. It’s already impressive but will continue to evolve for decades.
96 points Decanter
Review Date: 02/2017
Fresh still with herbal-toned, ripe fruit aromas. Juicy fruit on the palate with developing notes of chocolate and spice. Excellent harmony and structure. Glorious now, will improve and could keep for another 20 years. (MG)
95 points Vinous
Review Date: 01/2014
The 2008 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda presents a classic palette of Rionda notes: rose petal, violets, savory herbs, mint and sweet spices. Dark, layered and beautifully perfumed throughout, the 2008 is compelling, even if it is naturally a bit compact at this stage. Here the tannin is a bit more firm than in the super-polished 2010. Needless to say, it will be interesting to follow the development of both wines over the coming decades. (AG)
94 points Wine Spectator
Review Date: 03/2015
Elegant and refined, exhibiting cherry, eucalyptus, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Savory and harmonious, with an underlying beam of tannins and brisk acidity. A mineral element emerges on the finish. This is coming together nicely, but still needs time. (BS)
Cult Wines International Notes:
The Oddero family stands as one of the true “grandes dames” of the Langhe, with roots in the village of La Morra dating back to the late 18th century. As one of the earliest producers to estate-bottle their wines, Poderi Oddero has long been a standard-bearer for the traditionalist school of Barolo, favoring long macerations and aging in large Slavonian oak casks. Their crown jewel is the parcel in the Vigna Rionda cru of Serralunga d’Alba, a site often referred to as the “Grand Cru” of the region for its unique limestone-rich soils and sheltered amphitheater shape. The Oddero family’s history with this specific vineyard is a testament to their foresight; they have meticulously farmed these vines to produce a Riserva that emphasizes the site’s legendary power and longevity, releasing it only after extended cellar aging to ensure the tannins have begun their transformation into a more ethereal, complex structure.
The 2008 vintage in Barolo is celebrated by connoisseurs as a classic “connoisseur’s year,” defined by a long, cool growing season that allowed for a slow and steady accumulation of polyphenols. Unlike the warmer, more opulent years of the early 2000s, 2008 required patience, as a rainy spring gave way to a temperate summer and a magnificent “Indian summer” in September and October. This late-harvest profile was particularly beneficial for the Vigna Rionda plot, where the Nebbiolo grapes developed profound aromatic complexity and vibrant acidity without excessive sugar levels. The resulting 2008 Riserva is a masterclass in tension and elegance, offering a bouquet of dried rose petals, tar, and wild red berries underscored by a distinct mineral streak. On the palate, the wine displays the formidable structure characteristic of Serralunga, yet it is delivered with a precision and lift that only a cool-climate vintage can provide, suggesting a drinking window that will span several more decades.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition.
