The 2020 Poderi Colla "Bussia Dardi Le Rose" presents itself as a traditional Barolo wine that originates from the renowned vineyard in Monforte d'Alba. The Colla family under Tino Colla maintains the traditional terroir-first philosophy which Beppe Colla established as a pioneer of single-cru Barolo bottlings.
The wine originates from the Dardi subzone within the Bussia cru where clay and limestone soil support vines that grow on steep south-facing slopes. The wine presents both classic and lifted characteristics through its aromatic combination of rose petals and wild cherry with leather and iron and dried herbs while displaying subtle spice from Slavonian oak casks.
The wine presents itself as firm and structured but maintains an elegant and transparent quality which differentiates it from other Barolos. The tannins maintain their noble quality while persisting through a finish that displays mineral characteristics because of the vineyard's special soil and elevation. At this price point, it’s one of my favorite bottle ever.
About the ProducerThe Colla family is Piedmontese wine royalty. The late Beppe Colla, long the winemaker at Prunotto and a pioneer of single-cru bottlings, helped establish the modern Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. His brother Tino and nephew Pietro now run the estate, which includes Cascine Drago in San Rocco Seno d’Elvio and Tenuta Roncaglia in Barbaresco. They are staunch traditionalists, using indigenous yeasts and large Slavonian oak, and their wines are understated, classic and impeccably balanced.
The “Bussia Dardi Le Rose” Barolo, from the Dardi subzone of Bussia in Monforte d’Alba, is a benchmark for elegance. Steep, south-facing slopes of clay and limestone give rose petals and wild cherry with leather, iron and dried herbs, firm, noble tannins and a mineral finish, as in the 2020.
The “Roncaglie” Barbaresco comes from the family’s own vineyard outside the town of Barbaresco, where limestone soils and southern exposure make refined wines that age elegantly. The 2021 is in perfect balance, with rose petals, red cherry, wild strawberry, licorice and spice over an earthy undertone.
Vintage Context 2020 Vintage Released 2024
★★★★★
Released 2024 to acclaim: a warm, even vintage of ripe, perfumed, accessible Barolo with surprising freshness — drinking well young yet built to age.
