Villadoria Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba 2020 750ml

Serralunga d'Alba occupies a genuinely distinctive position within Barolo's eleven communes — Villadoria's own copy describes it as "like a greenhouse from north to south," with each individual area of the commune offering its own unique exposure, soil composition, and microclimate. Villadoria draws this particular bottling from two of Serralunga's most celebrated crus, Lazzarito and Meriame, both west-facing and set within what the estate calls "a marvelous natural amphitheater" — sites the Lanzavecchia family selected specifically for their strong personality and their unmistakable expression of place.

Villadoria was established in 1959 by Pietro Lanzavecchia, though the family's actual winemaking heritage stretches back to the late 1800s, when it began as a vine plant nursery. Today the estate spans roughly 20 hectares, guided by third-generation winemakers Daniele Lanzavecchia and his daughter Paola, who blend traditional methods with modern technology while maintaining a genuine commitment to sustainable practice. The 2020 vintage follows Serralunga's classically traditional style: grapes hand-harvested, gently destemmed and crushed, fermented in stainless steel at a maximum of 28°C, with time on the skins running 25 to 28 days to extract maximum polyphenol content and structure — a deliberately patient, old-school approach that builds genuine complexity and body.

The estate's own tasting notes describe a wine with "ruby red colour with garnet highlights," opening with "a rich and expressive bouquet" of "dry rose, cherry in alcohol" leading "the way to goudron, leather, pepper and truffle." On the palate: "dense and fleshy," with "a creamy and luscious texture" that "evolves in the glass showing the best of Serralunga d'Alba cru." SaratogaWine's own extended tasting confirms real structural seriousness, describing it as "spiced and red-fruited," with "notes of grapefruit peel, violets and cardamom," "polished and textural with a medium body and juicy acidity," concluding it's "dry and lightly chewy" and genuinely "needs some time to soften" — recommending patience through at least 2027. A separate account found "intense aromas of violets, over-blown roses, and cherries in alcohol, complemented by notes of liquorice, truffle, and tobacco," noting the wine "continues to evolve for at least 20 years after the harvest, reflecting the traditional style of Serralunga d'Alba Barolos." This is genuinely serious, patiently made, terroir-driven Barolo from a family with more than a century of winemaking roots in the region.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Villadoria was established in 1959 by Pietro Lanzavecchia, though the family's winemaking heritage in Serralunga d'Alba dates back to the late 1800s, beginning with a vine plant nursery. The estate, spanning approximately 20 hectares primarily planted to Nebbiolo, is now led by third-generation winemakers Daniele Lanzavecchia and his daughter Paola, who combine traditional winemaking methods with modern technology and an emphasis on sustainable practice.

This bottling is sourced from grapes grown in two of Serralunga d'Alba's most renowned crus, Lazzarito and Meriame, both west-facing sites positioned within a natural amphitheater of hillside. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, then gently destemmed and crushed, with alcoholic fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks at a maximum temperature of 28°C. Time on the skins runs 25 to 28 days, extracting maximum polyphenol content and structure, in keeping with the traditional style associated with Serralunga d'Alba Barolo — extended skin contact and maturation in large barrels, producing wines of genuine complexity and body. Bottled at Villadoria's estate in Serralunga d'Alba.

Critics Reviews

James Suckling (91 pts): "Spiced and red-fruited Barolo with notes of grapefruit peel, violets and cardamom. Polished and textural with a medium body and juicy acidity. Dry and lightly chewy. Needs some time to soften. Try after 2027."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Ruby red with garnet highlights. Dry rose and cherry-in-alcohol lead, joined by goudron (tar), leather, pepper, and truffle, alongside violet, over-blown rose, and grapefruit peel.

Palate
Dense and fleshy, with a creamy, luscious texture. Spiced and red-fruited, showing cardamom and licorice, medium-bodied with juicy acidity, developing complexity as it evolves in the glass.

Finish
Dry and lightly chewy, with firm structure that genuinely needs time to soften — a classically built, age-worthy finish reflecting Serralunga's traditional Barolo style.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Full-flavored red meat dishes
• Aged cheeses
• Truffle-based dishes

Serving Note

Serve at 20°C. It is advisable to open the bottle an hour before serving.