Lodali 2020 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 750ML

Lodali is genuinely a historic winery in Le Langhe, first founded in 1939 by grandfather Giovanni Lodali, who began making his own wine to serve in his local restaurant, later building a home and cellar on the property to begin bottling and selling it commercially. His son Lorenzo, alongside his wife Rita, commercialized the estate's first Barbaresco and Barolo selections in 1958; after Lorenzo passed away, Rita took over, focusing the estate's efforts on wines full of genuine typicity and Langhe charm. Current owner Walter Lodali followed in his father's footsteps, adding his own personal touch by perfecting every stage of winemaking and renovating the cellars, breathing new life into the family's boutique operation.

Bricco Ambrogio is made entirely from Nebbiolo grown exclusively in the estate's own vineyards in Roddi, hand-harvested in boxes, then soft-pressed with skin maceration at controlled temperature for roughly 25 days. The wine ages in 26-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle before release.

The critical reception has been genuinely remarkable, with a sweep across six major publications. Decanter's Aldo Fiordelli awarded 94 Points, describing how "Walter Lodali has renovated his boutique winery and produces precise wines not without complexity," noting the wine is "floral on the nose with hints of rose blossom, redcurrants and tar," "delicately refreshing" on the palate "with dusty but ripe, extracted tannins thanks to submerged cap maceration." Ian d'Agata also scored the wine 94 Points, finding "very sweet and precise aromas and flavours of suave red cherries, spicy herbs, minty tobacco and minerals," with "a note of blood orange and candied violet" adding "further interest," finishing "long and savoury, with good spicy cut and excellent clarity." Vinous scored the wine 93 Points, calling it "gorgeous," "vibrant and medium in body, with captivating inner perfume." Jeb Dunnuck scored 92 Points, describing "a youthful medium ruby red color," the wine "savory and spicy with notes of sour cherries, tangy orange peel, burnt orange peel, clove, saline, and menthol." James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast each scored the wine 91 Points, with Wine Enthusiast finding "the nose reserved, with hidden depths of dark cherry and plum waiting to be unveiled, gradually peeking out from behind a veil of vanilla and baking spices," the palate "initially soft and rounded before the ripe, structured tannins make their presence known." This is genuinely one of the most decorated wines from a small, family-run Roddi estate — real precision and complexity from a boutique winery that's only continued improving under its current owner.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Lodali 2020 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is produced by Lodali, a historic winery founded in 1939 by Giovanni Lodali in Le Langhe, Piedmont, Italy, now run by Walter Lodali, who renovated the cellars and refined every stage of winemaking after taking over from his mother Rita. The wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo, sourced exclusively from the estate's own vineyards in the municipality of Roddi (Bricco Ambrogio).

Grapes are hand-harvested in boxes, then soft-pressed, with skin maceration at controlled temperature for approximately 25 days. The wine ages in 26-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 12 months in bottle before release.

Critics Reviews

Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter Magazine — 94 Points (Mar 2024):
"Walter Lodali has renovated his boutique winery and produces precise wines not without complexity. Floral on the nose with hints of rose blossom, redcurrants and tar. On the palate, it is delicately refreshing with dusty but ripe, extracted tannins thanks to submerged cap maceration."

Ian d'Agata — 94 Points:
"Good bright red. Very sweet and precise aromas and flavours of suave red cherries, spicy herbs, minty tobacco and minerals. A note of blood orange and candied violet add further interest. Finishes long and savoury, with good spicy cut and excellent clarity."

Antonio Galloni, Vinous — 93 Points:
"The 2020 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is gorgeous. Vibrant and medium in body, with captivating inner perfume, the 2020 is pure sensuality."

Jeb Dunnuck — 92 Points:
"A youthful medium ruby red color, the 2020 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is savory and spicy with notes of sour cherries, tangy orange peel, burnt orange peel, clove, saline, and menthol."

James Suckling — 91 Points

Wine Enthusiast — 91 Points:
"The nose is reserved, with hidden depths of dark cherry and plum waiting to be unveiled, gradually peeking out from behind a veil of vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is initially soft and rounded before the ripe, structured tannins make their presence known."

Lodali (official tasting note):
"Aroma: Large and persistent fragrance with notes of mature red fruits. Taste: Harmonious taste and great structure, full and persistent."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Floral, with rose blossom and redcurrant leading, joined by tar and sweet red cherry, alongside blood orange, candied violet, spicy herbs, and minty tobacco.

Palate
Vibrant and medium-bodied, with sour cherry and tangy orange peel carrying real spice, developing clove, saline, and menthol, framed by dusty yet ripe, extracted tannin.

Finish
Long and savory, closing with good spicy cut and excellent clarity — genuinely precise and complex for a boutique-tier Barolo.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Meat, mushrooms, and truffles
• Mature cheeses
• Braised or roasted red meat
• Rich, savory ragù

Serving Note

Serve at 14-16°C for optimal tasting.