6/28/26 - 

This Sunday, we are highlighting three excellent La Morra growers. Giulia Negri is a yearly favorite while Renato Molino and Borgogno Rivata are new to the shelves. The collection features a range of Nebbiolo from Vino Rosso all the way up to a 7 year old Rocche dell'Annunziata- something for everyone! 

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Giulia Negri

Giulia Negri has earned the affectionate nickname 'Barologirl' after taking over the family estate in La Morra in 2014. With La Morra already known to be the highest zone in Barolo, her specific zone of Serradenari has the most elevation around 530m. She maintains traditional techniques like extended submerged cap macerations and aging in large casks. Today we have the newly released 2022 vintages of three Barolo: Tartufaia, Serradenari, and Marassio as well as 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo Pian delle Mole. For more immediate drinking, try the Langhe Nebbiolo or Tartufaia, while Serradenari and Marassio will reward those with patience to age.

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Renato Molino
Renato Molino is another fantastic grower quietly tends to vines in La Morra with traditions passed down from his father and grandfather. For a long time he was selling grapes to the local co-op, but in 2013 his daughter, and now partner in the business Chiara, had the idea to start bottling their own wine. They make a good team, as Chiara is professionally trained in oenology and Renato is trained in the old school techniques of past generations. He bottles by taste and instinct depending on the vintage, but generally the Barolo spends more years in barrel than is required. Production is very small, less than 600 cases per year! Today we have his ethereal 2019 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata. Truffles, earth, roses and dark fruit are followed by green olive and oyster shell brininess and fine, silky tannins. The fruit is coming from a plot in Rocche 0.4 hectares in size, with the average vine age around 60 years old and right above B. Mascarello's 1.2 hectare plot!

For something a bit more unique and unexpected, try Renato's 2022 Spluva Vino Rosso. Spluva means spark in the local dialect and is also the name of the family farm. The spark came from the tractor Renato’s grandfather used around the farm which his neighbors would use to light their engines! Renato could technically use this Nebbiolo to make Barolo, but he prefers to release this a bit younger while the Barolo are aging. It still ages upwards of 18 months in large botti! Very complex on the nose with mint & potpourri jumping out first. Then layers of moreno cherry, truffle, and cocoa powder come out, with a medium body and fine grain, approachable tannins. An incredible value considering this wine is basically Barolo and very fun to drink! These are charming wines worthy of space in your cellar or your dinner table.

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Borgogno Rivata
Borgogno Rivata started in 2010 with the union of Samuele Fontanone, Alberto Borgogno, and Massimo Rivata. They are organically tending to vines in both La Morra in the Langhe and Guarene‎ in Roero. I was struck by the approachability and silkiness of two wines, 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo and 2022 Barolo. Their Langhe Nebbiolo is a blend of fruit from both La Morra and Roero, and is just a joy to drink as stainless steel aging gives way to pure, plump fruit notes with a touch of violet and fennel seed. The 2022 Barolo is majority fruit from the Boiolo cru with the rest from other La Morra holdings. Winemaker, Giovanni Mingolla, chooses to not release a single expression of Boiolo, favoring the more traditional approach of blending various sites into one balanced Barolo bottling. The 2022 shows that classic La Morra elegance, but with a grounding spice, sarsaparilla, smoke, and woodsy herb profile, with a fresh finish.

-Marisa Licandro

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