Sara Vezza 2018 Barolo Ravera 750ml

Sara Vezza represents a genuine, hands-on fifth generation of winemaking in her family, working under the estate name Josetta Saffirio in Castelletto, a subzone of Monforte d'Alba — one of the eleven towns permitted to produce true Barolo. On the hill of Castelletto, across five hectares planted mainly to Nebbiolo, Sara has built her own independent label, Azienda Agricola Sara Vezza, distinguished by labels bearing four symbols representing earth, fire, water, and air. She farms organically and has been actively moving the estate toward biodynamic practice — genuinely hands-on stewardship from a woman who, as her own estate's history tells it, "got her start early and has been going strong ever since."

This Barolo is sourced entirely from Ravera, a genuinely celebrated cru whose distinctive terroir is widely credited with contributing freshness, mineral complexity, and real structural elegance to the wines grown there. The 2018 vintage carries 100% Nebbiolo, bottled at 14% ABV, and reflects a growing season critics have broadly described as somewhat more subdued and "monotone" across Barolo as a whole — conditions Sara Vezza's own winemaking navigated with genuine skill.

The critical reception has been genuinely strong. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded 92 Points, describing the wine as "quite large in scope and generous, with dark layers of blackcurrant and plum followed by spice, earth and pressed rose or dried lavender," noting that while "the wine reflects many of the main characteristics of the vintage that can be described as a bit more monotone," this particular bottling "does a good job of staying true to varietal and vintage." James Suckling scored the wine 91 Points, finding "a combination of sweet, creamy berries and leafy aromas and flavors," describing it as "medium-bodied with very fine tannins that you don't feel until the end," with "plenty of clean, minerally character to ensure a fresh palate." Hi Proof's own tasting notes describe "red cherry, raspberry, dried rose petals, violets, licorice, and subtle earth" on the nose, developing into "bright red fruit, savory herbs, mineral notes, warm spice, and refined tannins" on the palate, closing "long and elegant with lingering floral notes, red fruit, and earthy complexity." CellarTracker's broader community has rated Sara Vezza's Ravera bottling an average of 91.8 across confirmed reviews. This is genuinely well-reviewed, structured Barolo from Ravera's own celebrated terroir — real skill on display in a vintage that challenged many of its Piedmont peers.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Sara Vezza 2018 Barolo Ravera is produced by Sara Vezza, under the estate Josetta Saffirio, in Castelletto, a subzone of Monforte d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy. Sara represents the fifth generation of her family in winemaking, farming five hectares on the hill of Castelletto, primarily planted to Nebbiolo, using organic methods and moving toward biodynamic practice.

This wine is sourced entirely from Ravera, a celebrated Barolo cru known for contributing freshness, mineral complexity, and structural elegance to its wines. Made entirely from Nebbiolo, bottled at 14% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 92 Points:
"The 2018 Barolo Ravera is quite large in scope and generous, with dark layers of blackcurrant and plum followed by spice, earth and pressed rose or dried lavender. The wine reflects many of the main characteristics of the vintage that can be described as a bit more monotone. But this wine from Sara Vezza does a good job of staying true to varietal and vintage."

James Suckling — 91 Points:
"A combination of sweet, creamy berries and leafy aromas and flavors here. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that you don't feel until the end. Meanwhile there's plenty of clean, minerally character to ensure a fresh palate."

Hi Proof (official tasting note):
"Nose: Red cherry, raspberry, dried rose petals, violets, licorice, and subtle earth. Palate: Bright red fruit, savory herbs, mineral notes, warm spice, and refined tannins. Finish: Long and elegant with lingering floral notes, red fruit, and earthy complexity."

CellarTracker community — 91.8 average

Tasting Profile

Nose
Dark layers of blackcurrant and plum lead, joined by spice, earth, and pressed rose or dried lavender, alongside red cherry, raspberry, and violet.

Palate
Medium-bodied, with sweet, creamy berries and leafy character, developing bright red fruit, savory herbs, and warm spice, framed by very fine, refined tannins.

Finish
Long and elegant, closing with clean, minerally freshness and lingering floral and earthy complexity — genuinely true to both varietal and vintage.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roasted meats and braised dishes
• Truffle-based cuisine
• Aged cheeses
• Rich, savory ragù