Azienda Agricola Brezza Giacomo e Figli - Barolo 2021

The Brezza Family has been making wine and farming vineyards in Barolo since 1885. Enzo is the fourth generation of the family to lead the estate, where they have an enviable holding of vineyards in Barolo including the Cru sites of Castellero, Sarmassa and the famous Cannubi. As a matter of fact, it was Enzo who (along with his cousin, Maria Teresa Mascarello) lead an effort against the expansion of the Cannubi vineyard, which would have diluted the quality of the name by extending the boundaries to non-traditional sites. Their advocacy allowed the vineyard to keep its traditional delimitation on the sandy soils of the east-facing hillside vineyard, thus preserving the esteemed name of Cannubi and its legendary quality.

All of Brezza’s grapes are grown organically and hand-harvested. In the cellar, only native yeasts are used for fermentation and the wines undergo long macerations and extended aging in large Slavonian oak botti. All of their Barolos are made with the same vinification techniques in order to showcase the differences of terroir in each vintage. Enzo may be firmly rooted in tradition, but his knowledge as an oenologist allows him to craft traditional wines that are clean, precise and among the best in Barolo.

The Brezza Barolo is a blend of grapes from the estate's vineyards in Barolo, Monforte d'Alba, and Novello grown on a mix of clay-silt, sand, and silt soils. In the glass, the wine displays a beautiful translucent ruby color with a clear, tawny rim. Gorgeous aromas of ripe cherry, red plum, tamarind and anise waft from the glass when first poured. However, after some aeration and time in the glass the aromas blossom into a complex mix of baked red fruits, fresh earth and potpourri. Full-bodied and rich on the palate with masses of broad, mouth-coating tannins and a lively freshness, the Brezza Barolo holds its weight beautifully, showcasing rich fruit concentration and considerable structure. The finish is long and complex, delivering lush stone fruit flavors buttressed by a dusty minerality. It never ceases to amaze me the quality and value Enzo delivers in all his wines, and this Barolo is no exception. You can drink the wine now, but I would recommend decanting for about an hour. Otherwise, stash some in your cellar to enjoy over the next decade.