Sandrone Luciano : Aleste 2020

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for the 2020 Aleste by Sandrone Luciano

Tasting

Appearance
The appearance reveals an intense ruby hue with luminous reflections.

Nose
The nose opens on a complex bouquet blending aromas of red fruits and flowers, accompanied by earthy and mineral notes. Nuances of ripe cherry gradually unfold, enriched with balsamic and sweet touches.

Palate
On the palate, this Barolo reveals a full-bodied structure. The pronounced tannins, both powerful and elegant, are accompanied by generous fruit and fresh acidity. The whole shows concentration while preserving balance and elegance. The finish extends with amplitude and resonance, testifying to a wine that possesses "una marcia in più," an additional dimension that will require a few more years to fully express itself.

Food and wine pairings
This Barolo harmonizes perfectly with rich and refined dishes such as roasted duck with figs, braised ossobuco, game-based preparations, or aged cheeses like Castelmagno and aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Service and cellaring
The optimal tasting window for this 2020 Barolo Aleste extends from approximately 2027 to 2046, a period during which it will reveal all its complexity and aging potential.

An exceptional Barolo from the prestigious Cannubi Boschis terroir in Piedmont

The estate
Founded in 1978 in the village of Barolo in Piedmont, the Sandrone Luciano estate embodies the excellence of nebbiolo. Luciano Sandrone, an iconic figure who passed away in January 2023, acquired his first parcel on the legendary Cannubi Boschis hill in 1977, initially vinifying in the family garage until 1999. Today, his children Barbara and Luca Sandrone run the estate, producing approximately 8,000 cases annually. The estate distinguishes itself through its approach reconciling tradition and modernity: uncertified organic viticulture, aging in 500-liter barrels with little new oak, but also wines combining Burgundian elegance and exceptional Barolo structure.

The vineyard
The Barolo Aleste comes exclusively from the Cannubi Boschis vineyard, located in the village of Barolo on the Cannubi hill that extends northward. This exceptional terroir benefits from a particularly favorable southeast exposure and rests on moderately compact marl soils. The microclimate of this site is distinguished by a clear and transparent expression that manifests consistently with each vintage. This parcel, acquired in 1977, gave birth to the estate's first wine in 1985, initially named Barolo Cannubi Boschis before being renamed Aleste starting with the 2013 vintage.

The vintage
The winter of 2020 proved mild and dry, punctuated by a few snowfalls and rain in mid-February. An early warm period in late February and early March preceded a cooling in mid-March. From April onward, spring was marked by a recurring pattern alternating four to five sunny days followed by one to two days of rain. This high humidity required increased vigilance against the risk of mildew, which could be controlled. Flowering took place in late May under favorable conditions, ensuring good fruit set. Summer experienced heat episodes in late July, tempered by periodic rains and good water reserves in the soil. Early autumn remained warm until mid-September storms that cooled the region, followed by bright days and cool nights favoring regular and homogeneous ripening. Harvest was carried out on October 9, 2020.

Vinification and aging
The production of the 2020 Barolo Aleste respects a traditional approach favoring the natural expression of the terroir. Alcoholic fermentation takes place spontaneously using indigenous yeasts in open steel vats. Malolactic fermentation then occurs in 500-liter French barrels, containers also used for aging the wine. Aging of 18 months in bottle before release. This method preserves the purity of the fruit while providing structure and complexity.

Grape variety
100% nebbiolo.