Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda 2020

Fabio Fantino has done a superb job in shepherding his family's estate into its second generation. In my view, the wines have never been better. Today's Barolos show greater precision and energy than the wines of the past, and I say that as someone who bought these wines heavily in the early 2000s. The 2020 Barolo harvest was relatively compact, from October 7 to 10. The wines still see quite a bit of French oak, including malolactic fermentation in barrel, but the introduction of casks in the second year of aging and an overall emphasis on freshness in the wines have been so beneficial. The 2020s are seriously impressive.

The 2020 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is a delicate, elegant wine. Crushed rose petal, orange peel, white pepper, mint and crushed rocks all grace this gorgeous, translucent Barolo. All the elements are so nice balanced. There is a feeling of crystalline purity here that is simply beguiling. Its is the most ethereal and perfumed of the Barolos here. The 2020 is all class. 94 points, Antonio Galloni