Mauro Veglio Barolo, Piemonte, Italy 2021
The Veglio family has worked the land in and around La Morra since the early 20th century, when Angelo Veglio began farming in the hamlet of Ciotto. A pivotal moment came in the 1960s when Angelo purchased his first vineyard in Gattera, followed in 1979 by the acquisition of Cascina Nuova — a dilapidated farmhouse in the Annunziata locality of La Morra — along with approximately five hectares of vines including holdings in the prestigious Arborina and Rocche dell'Annunziata MGAs. In 1986, Mauro Veglio assumed management of the estate at age 25 following his father's illness, and began a sustained transformation of both vineyard and cellar. Encouraged by neighbor and modernist pioneer Elio Altare, Mauro embraced careful viticulture, reduced yields, and a Burgundy-influenced approach to Barolo — one focused on aromatic purity, finesse, and approachability. The Monforte d'Alba holdings in Castelletto were added via Mauro's wife Daniela in the mid-1990s. In 2017, Mauro's nephew Alessandro Veglio formally joined and eventually assumed day-to-day winemaking, merging his own small label with the family estate and bringing a new generation's energy to the range. The estate today manages approximately 19 hectares across La Morra, Monforte d'Alba, and Serralunga d'Alba, producing around 120,000 bottles annually across eleven labels including five single-MGA Barolos.
- WINEMAKER: Alessandro Veglio
- FARMING: Practicing organic for over 20 years; no herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Sexual confusion deployed for pest management. Natural cover crops maintained between rows to prevent erosion, encourage beneficial insects, and promote the spread of native yeasts on grape skins. Vine management by Guyot.
- VARIETY: 100% Nebbiolo
- TERROIR: The 2021 Barolo classico is a blend of four vineyard sites across three communes: Arborina and Gattera in La Morra, Castelletto in Monforte d'Alba, and Mancino in Serralunga d'Alba. La Morra fruit — from soils of Tortonian calcareous marls — lends the perfumed, floral, and silky character for which the commune is known. Castelletto in Monforte, farmed on sandy soils with cooler exposures, contributes structure and aromatic complexity. Mancino in Serralunga, on the harder Helvetian limestone and grey marls, adds backbone and longevity. Together the blend represents a cross-section of Barolo's diversity. The 2021 vintage was cool, long, and evenly paced — widely regarded as one of the finest Barolo vintages in recent memory for its classical balance of fruit, acidity, and fine-grained tannin.
- VINIFICATION: Destemming followed by maceration in stainless steel for 12–15 days (shorter than the single-MGA wines, which see 20–25 days). Fermentation initiated using a pied de cuve or native yeast. Malolactic fermentation completed.
- AGING: 24 months in French oak barriques, 15–20% new (second and third fill for the balance). Bottled without filtration or fining.
- TASTING NOTES: Sour cherries, fresh herbs, and wild stems on an expressive, classically structured nose. The palate is bright and forward, with polished fruit, gentle bark-like tannins, and the energy and precision characteristic of the 2021 vintage. Aromas of red berry, dried rose, star anise, and a hint of eucalyptus emerge with air. Drink from 2026.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted lamb, risotto al Barolo, braised short rib, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, rabbit with herbs.
- SCORES: Wine Enthusiast: 92 pts — 'Editors' Choice' (Jeff Porter, November 2025)
Mauro Veglio Barolo, Piemonte, Italy 2021
The Veglio family has worked the land in and around La Morra since the early 20th century, when Angelo Veglio began farming in the hamlet of Ciotto. A pivotal moment came in the 1960s when Angelo purchased his first vineyard in Gattera, followed in 1979 by the acquisition of Cascina Nuova — a dilapidated farmhouse in the Annunziata locality of La Morra — along with approximately five hectares of vines including holdings in the prestigious Arborina and Rocche dell'Annunziata MGAs. In 1986, Mauro Veglio assumed management of the estate at age 25 following his father's illness, and began a sustained transformation of both vineyard and cellar. Encouraged by neighbor and modernist pioneer Elio Altare, Mauro embraced careful viticulture, reduced yields, and a Burgundy-influenced approach to Barolo — one focused on aromatic purity, finesse, and approachability. The Monforte d'Alba holdings in Castelletto were added via Mauro's wife Daniela in the mid-1990s. In 2017, Mauro's nephew Alessandro Veglio formally joined and eventually assumed day-to-day winemaking, merging his own small label with the family estate and bringing a new generation's energy to the range. The estate today manages approximately 19 hectares across La Morra, Monforte d'Alba, and Serralunga d'Alba, producing around 120,000 bottles annually across eleven labels including five single-MGA Barolos.
- WINEMAKER: Alessandro Veglio
- FARMING: Practicing organic for over 20 years; no herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Sexual confusion deployed for pest management. Natural cover crops maintained between rows to prevent erosion, encourage beneficial insects, and promote the spread of native yeasts on grape skins. Vine management by Guyot.
- VARIETY: 100% Nebbiolo
- TERROIR: The 2021 Barolo classico is a blend of four vineyard sites across three communes: Arborina and Gattera in La Morra, Castelletto in Monforte d'Alba, and Mancino in Serralunga d'Alba. La Morra fruit — from soils of Tortonian calcareous marls — lends the perfumed, floral, and silky character for which the commune is known. Castelletto in Monforte, farmed on sandy soils with cooler exposures, contributes structure and aromatic complexity. Mancino in Serralunga, on the harder Helvetian limestone and grey marls, adds backbone and longevity. Together the blend represents a cross-section of Barolo's diversity. The 2021 vintage was cool, long, and evenly paced — widely regarded as one of the finest Barolo vintages in recent memory for its classical balance of fruit, acidity, and fine-grained tannin.
- VINIFICATION: Destemming followed by maceration in stainless steel for 12–15 days (shorter than the single-MGA wines, which see 20–25 days). Fermentation initiated using a pied de cuve or native yeast. Malolactic fermentation completed.
- AGING: 24 months in French oak barriques, 15–20% new (second and third fill for the balance). Bottled without filtration or fining.
- TASTING NOTES: Sour cherries, fresh herbs, and wild stems on an expressive, classically structured nose. The palate is bright and forward, with polished fruit, gentle bark-like tannins, and the energy and precision characteristic of the 2021 vintage. Aromas of red berry, dried rose, star anise, and a hint of eucalyptus emerge with air. Drink from 2026.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted lamb, risotto al Barolo, braised short rib, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, rabbit with herbs.
- SCORES: Wine Enthusiast: 92 pts — 'Editors' Choice' (Jeff Porter, November 2025)