Exceptional Barolo from Crissante Alessandria
Alberto Alessandria is a man of few words--it's not a language barrier--his English is impeccable. Direct might be a better way of putting it. He does not mince his words when he’s talking about his wines, or compromise his standards, and Alberto’s knowledge and experience with Nebbiolo is profound. His wines are serious, reflecting his exacting approach, but they also capture his sly smile and joyful spark. Get him talking, and he’ll deliver a succinct and impassioned masterclass.
Barolo is an exciting place these days. In addition to 181 official Crus, winemaking styles are evolving, and having a guide like Alberto is helpful in understanding the region.
The old divide between the more rustic "traditional" producers (aged in botti, taking years to become drinkable, but intense and complex) and the more polished “modern” winemakers (new French oak, more approachable but more generic) is dissolving.
As that divide is being erased, it is producers like Alberto that represent the best of both worlds: clean, precise wines that still have depth and the unmistakable character of place.
His immaculate cellar houses large Slovenian Oak bottiwhere each Barolo bottling ages for 3 years. Surrounding the winery, the Alessandria family farms just 6 hectares of vineyards, divided among 5 parcels, below the pretty hilltop village of La Morra, a prime address for Barolo lovers. With only a few thousand bottles of his top wines produced annually, each vintage showcases the exceptional personality of each vineyard.
From his most recent release, we have secured an extremely limited quantity of some truly superb Crissante Alessandria Barolo. Dan and I tasted these wines way back in 2023, while they were still in the cellar, and we're beyond excited to finally be offering these to you now.
1) Crissante Alessandria Barolo del Comune di la Morra 2021
From the heralded 2021 vintage, this “comune” bottling of Barolo is composed from 3 vineyard sites near La Morra, made in a mix of older barrels and large upright botti. It is textbook La Morra Barolo, with Alberto's signature precision.
Intense dried fruit, cassis, a hint of licorice, savory herbs, fine tannin. This wine is also mouthwatering and inviting, just like all of Alberto's wines—he has a gift for showcasing the beauty and charm of Nebbiolo.
This wine is worth drinking now, layered and complex, evolving over the course of a meal (or a few days!), but will only become more refined and intriguing with time in the cellar over the next decade.
Only 48 bottles available.
BONUS: 6 Magnums available. (Nothing ages better than magnums!)
2) Crissante Alessandria Barolo Galina 2020
From a tiny 0.8-hectare parcel just south of the La Morra Hill, around 280m in elevation, Galina produces what Alberto describes as the most aromatically intense and elegant wine.
The big fruit character is accompanied by a full body and rich, balanced tannins. Look for cherries, apricots, and blackberries, and delicate notes of vanilla and licorice. He calls this a “Meditation wine, delicious already, but lasts a long time.”
Only 24 bottles available.
3) Crissante Alessandria Barolo Capalot 2020
From their oldest vineyard, planted in 1951, and totaling just 0.5 hectares, the Capalot vineyard is directly west of the Galina vineyard, around 320m in elevation. Alberto says this vineyard makes wines that are more intensely structured, with red fruits, blackberries, and plum, and notes of vanilla and mint. Full-bodied, layered, with noble tannins and a long finish. From vines that have been producing exceptional wines for over 70 years, a genuine pedigree.
Only 24 bottles available.
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As you can see, our allocation is extremely limited. With production this small and quality this high, these wines are not to be missed--a chance to experience one of Barolo's rising stars and heralded vintages.