Crissante Alessandria 2021 And 2020 New Arrivals

The new super-star of La Morra, Alberto Crissante is one of the most gifted winemakers and farmers I've come across. As Galloni wrote recently, "The wines confirm Alessandria's place as one of the most talented young growers in Barolo today". In terms of style these are modern classical. Longish maceration and elevage in only larger Slavonian oak. The prettiness of La Morra with an underlining structure to give it a little more seriousness.

The 2021 Barolo del Comune di La Morra is a superb appellation-level wine. Floral and silky on the palate, with fabulous persistence, the 2021 exudes class from start to finish. This has come together beautifully over the last year or so. Specifically, the tannins that were a bit troublesome before have begun to integrate into the wine's fabric. The essence of La Morra in a glass. ANTONIO GALLONI

The 2020 Barolo Monvigliero is a new wine in this range. Soaring aromatics and bright, sculpted fruit all race out of the glass. Ethereal and light on its feet, with striking depth, the Monvigliero is fabulous. It's very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Alberto Alessandria shortened aging to 18 months in wood in order to not overwhelm the fine Monvigliero tannins, especially considering he was working with a new cask. It's a decision that paid off handsomely Silky, vibrant and exceptionally pure, the 2020 displays notes of red fruit, white pepper and orange peel. This classically austere, young Barolo shuts down in the glass, but its greatness is evident. (96) ANOTONIO GALLONI

I really like Monvigliero as a cru, and for sure it’s the famed bit of Verduno, though the prices seem to be going nuts for it these days! Importer: Beaune & Beyond.

Dark cherry, red fruits, earthy and peppery, some liquorice and orange peel, dried flowers, some nutty and spicy wood. It’s a supple wine, tangerine and red fruits, lots of spice, pulls a bit chalky and grainy, almost like a squishy sort of Burgundy in a way. There’s some oak influence here, albeit mild, that I’d rather not be there, though it’s a very good wine all the same and it should integrate with a few more years in bottle. (94) GARY WALSH, The Wine Front