2015 Luciano Sandrone “Aleste” Barolo
The 2015 Luciano Sandrone “Aleste” represents a refined and robust Barolo wine produced by one of Barolo’s most respected modern
Producer
Sandrone
I have reviewed three wines from Sandrone, from the 2015 to 2020 vintages, all from Barolo. All are Nebbiolo. Scores range from 96 to 97, averaging 97; the highest is the 2015 Luciano Sandrone “Aleste” Barolo (97 points).
Luciano Sandrone, who died in 2023, was a giant of the Langhe and a key figure among the “Barolo Boys” who set out in the 1980s and 90s to modernize Barolo with shorter macerations and French oak. Where some went fully modern, Sandrone found the middle ground between tradition and approachability. Working with his brother Luca and daughter Barbara, he farmed organically and aged his wines in 500-litre French tonneaux with minimal new wood.
He put Cannubi Boschis on the world map in the 1980s. That wine is now called Aleste, after his grandchildren Alessia and Stefano, and still comes from the heart of the historic, sandy amphitheatre near the town of Barolo: refined and aromatic, with cherry, raspberry, rose petal, sweet tobacco and fine tannins. Aged 24 months in tonneaux and then in bottle, it is beautiful young and ages gracefully.
Le Vigne is the multi-vineyard expression, a nod to Barolo’s historic tradition of blending, drawn from sites in Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Barolo. Both wines show Sandrone’s signature: purity, silky tannins and soaring aromatic complexity.
2020 Luciano Sandrone “Le Vigne” Barolo
Luciano Sandrone was a key figure of the “Barolo Boys,” the progressive group of winemakers that in the 80s and
2020 Luciano Sandrone “Aleste” Barolo
Luciano Sandrone was a key figure of the “Barolo Boys,” the progressive group of winemakers that in the 80s and