We arrive at our last cru vineyards in Barolo, located in the eastern end of the region. Serralunga d’Alba has more limestone in the soil than the other cru regions we’ve examined, leading to highly tannic Barolos that are ideal for aging. These Barolos are by far the most full bodied, and like Monforte d’Alba Barolos may be a bit intimidating to newcomers. That being said, once you’ve worked your way through some La Morra Barolos, you’ll be ready to appreciate the powerful punch of the Serralunga d’Alba grapes. The cru vineyards of Serralunga d’Alba include:
Falleto – Often considered the best vineyard for producing Barolos suited for aging, this southwest facing slope is shaped like a rounded amphitheater. Expect extremely velvety tannins and lots of red fruit taste.
Francia – Very bold and structured wines that tend to have notes of balsamic, tar and mint. The big finish with these wines is always a nice fun surprise!
Marenca – Calcareous clay soil leads to the most vanilla-tasting Barolos I’ve ever tried. Marenca wines are my favorite Barolos to pair with cheese.
Marenca-Rivette – Vineyard produces soft floral wines, with lots of truffle aromas too!
Margheria – These Barolos tend to have a distinct, almost salty, mineral character. There’s an energetic quality to the way the flavors dance across your tongue. The perfect Barolo to start a long night of celebrations.
Ornato – A truly historical and prestigious vineyard that produces fresh, structured Barolos with lots of earthiness. I’ve paired these wines with spicy-tingly Sichuan food and find the structure and rigorous tannins of these Barolos can provide much needed balance.
Parafada – Elegant and complex Barolo with a chewy palate and meaty finish, that pairs surprisingly well with simpler pasta dishes.
Vigna Rionda – The grapes from these vineyards seem almost bipolar: sweetly floral when young and dark and smoky after they age. Well worth getting two bottles – one to drink now and one to drink in a few years!
The Serralunga d’Alba commune is known for its beautiful namesake 14th century castle which is well worth a visit!
