Luigi Oddero's Convento joins an exceptional class of affordable Barolo

Bottle Highlight: Luigi Oddero 2016 Convento Barolo ($40 & Dangerously Delicious!)

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Alberto in the cellar (DH)

Delicious Barolo at $40? Oh yes!

If you drink Barolo, you probably know the wines of Figli Luigi Oddero. Located in La Morra, the estate has made huge strides towards matching the reputation of the other Oddero in town - and the growing recognition is much deserved. Just a few weeks ago, Jamie Wolff and I were lucky enough to visit the Luigi Oddero winery and we had an incredibly impressive tasting led by Alberto Zaccarelli, the estate's general manager. Alberto apologized that the special bottle featured in today's offer, the 2016 Barolo Convento, was missing from the line up... but Jamie and I knew we had some waiting for us back in the States. Before even tasting it, we brought a few cases into the shop and we reserved some extra supply on top of that. You know when you just have a feeling? And since tasting this superbly engaging, wallet-friendly Barolo, we're so happy that we stocked up. We're down to our last few bottles on the shelves - but more is on the way! 120 bottles are inbounding tomorrow...

The Convento '16 is a lightly bricking cherry in the glass when the bottle is first opened but fills out into a brilliant, deep, clear red hue after an hour of air. It begins distinctly minty, with raspberry and red plum. A little clove and milled coffee bean waft over a woodsy smell of stripped bark. Over time, sweet orange peel, pungent roses, and candied strawberry appear, adding richness and pleasant aromatic dimension. The palate has a bright, mineral core - but also real juiciness. Flavors of zingy red apple, cherry and cranberry begin a little pinched, but quickly fall on the tongue like a wave of healthy fruit. The wine finishes on a serious note, with a hint of menthol and a dash of black tea. Fantastic, semi-chewy Nebbiolo tannin and firm acidity are long lasting. Drink now through 2030.

The fruit for this '16 Barolo came primarily from east and south-east facing plots in La Morra, with some Nebbiolo from east facing vines in the Barolo commune. The wine was fermented in stainless steel with a 25 day maceration on the skins, before aging in large Slavonian oak casks for 2 years. According to our supplier, the full but balanced character of this wine can partly be attributed to Luigi Oddero's cellarmaster, Francesco Verzio, who previously worked at the famous Bruno Giacosa winery in Barbaresco.

Luigi Oddero vines and some VERY TOUGH guard dogs at the winery in La Morra... (DH)

There is a special place in our hearts for high end wines that aren't absurdly expensive yet deliver a high quality drinking experience. The Convento by Luigi Oddero will last for years in your cellar, but it is drinking so well that I urge Barolo fans to drink at least a few bottles this spring and summer. There's nothing like great Nebbiolo! David Hatzopoulos

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Oddero, Luigi 2016 Barolo Convento

The fruit for this '16 Barolo came primarily from east and south-east facing plots in La Morra, with some Nebbiolo from east facing vines in the Barolo commune. The wine was fermented in stainless steel with a 25 day maceration on the skins, before aging in large Slavonian oak casks for 2 years. The Convento '16 is a lightly bricking cherry in the glass when the bottle is first opened but fills out into a brilliant, deep, clear red hue after an hour of air. It begins distinctly minty, with raspberry and red plum. A little clove and milled coffee bean waft over a woodsy smell of stripped bark. Over time, sweet orange peel, pungent roses, and candied strawberry appear, adding richness and pleasant aromatic dimension. The palate has a bright, mineral core - but also real juiciness. Flavors of zingy red apple and cranberry begin a little pinched, but quickly fall on the tongue like a wave of healthy fruit. The wine finishes on a serious note, with a hint of menthol and a dash of black tea. Fantastic, semi-chewy Nebbiolo tannin and firm acidity are long lasting. Drink now through 2030. David Hatzopoulos

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  • $41.99

  • Organic