“At their best, the Marcarini Barolos offer solid quality and terrific overall value in a classic, old-school style.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Tripple 95-point, Single Vineyard Barolo, from one of the region’s stalwarts of classicism, for under $60?!

If you would have asked us yesterday, we would have told you, “Doesn’t happen.”

BUT! Fans of bone-dry savory reds, Italian wine enthusiasts, and terroir geeks gather round. This wine is for you!

(Definitely check out their 94-point rarity from 150+ year-old vines, too!)

Marcarini may not be as famous as some of the flashier, more fashionable wineries in Barolo, but they are about as OG as it gets. It is easy to think of Barolo as something that has been around forever, one of the timeless kings of traditional Italian wines. BUT as we know it today, 100% Nebbiolo, aged to perfection before release, it actually dates to the mid nineteenth century. Founded in the 1850’s, they were there from the beginning!

Fast forward a hundred years, they were again on the forefront of embracing the regions unique terroir – they were among the very first to label single-vineyard wines in the 1950’s.

And this wine comes from one of the most highly regarded vineyards, the Cru of La Serra. The hallmark of La Serra is the powerful floral perfume on the nose, its herbal minty notes, and nervous, chalky, elegant tannins. The vineyard sits at about 1250 feet elevation, higher than most, with an open, southern exposure – ensuring long, slow ripening that leads to the wine’s notable complexity and elegance.

2019 was an excellent year for the region. The weather was variable, but ultimately the growing season was drawn-out, with plenty of flavor development leading to wines of power, featuring pristine fruit and a structured, yet nuanced profile ideal for cellaring.

Still in the hands of its founding family, helmed by Manuel Marchetti and his three children, Marcarini continues to carefully farm their 49 acres and make wines in the classical style. In a region torn by ‘modernists’ and ‘traditionalists’, they are firmly the latter in technique – submerged cap extended maceration and aging in large neutral botti.

It is, in the best possible way, your grandfather’s Barolo. The type of Barolo that made us fall in love with the region many years ago. No flash, no pizazz, but deeply complex, contemplative, savory, nuanced, and crazy-long.

Whether you want to pop it now and enjoy its youthful red fruits and floral intensity, or cellar it for the next fifteen years or beyond to develop deeply leathery, earthy nuance is up to you. But we recommend buying plenty NOW and doing both.

Because we don’t have much… And we don’t know when we’ll see a Barolo deal this good again!

95 Points – James Suckling “Vivid aromas of strawberries, oranges and peach skins with some cherries and cedar. Medium body, tight and firm with a fresh and vivid finish. Needs time to soften. Better in 2027.”

95 Points, ‘Cellar Selection’ – Wine Enthusiast “The moment the cork is pulled, aromas spill out this beautifully crafted Barolo. Notes of wild cherry and macerated raspberry steal the show on the nose but as the wine develops, savory herb and spiced tea notes emerge. The wine dances on the palate with vivid red fruit notes that meld with herbal and woodsy notes finishing with elegant, yet firm tannins and crunch acidity. Built for the cellar. Drink 2026–2045.”

95 Points – Decanter “La Serra is typically harvested later (compared, for example, to Brunate) and is mostly focused on elegance. This 2019 features red currants, cinnamon, Parma violets, and lots of mint, anise and liquorice. The palate is tight, firm and dusty, with extracted but balanced tannins of good sweet grain, leading to a juicy, savoury and long finish full of tension. A very classic style from a classic vintage. Drink 2023-2045.”