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Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso

Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso is a small family-owned estate of 12 hectares in Serralunga d'Alba. The Rosso family have owned their vineyards since the 1890s, becoming not just a Barolo producer, but a Serralunga wine producer.

Having founded, developed and expanded the company, Giovanni Rosso, Davide and his mother Ester have achieved great success and worldwide recognition. The wines of Giovanni Rosso are today enjoyed in some of the finest restaurants and hotels around the globe and can be found on the shelves of the most exclusive wine merchants.

Giovanni Rosso

Giovanni Rosso created his own winery in the 1990s, with son Davide taking over the wine making process in 2001 at just 27 years of age. The goal has always been to create the finest wines with the mantra that "wine should be a perfect copy of its terroir", in this case the soils of Serralunga d'Alba.

Serralunga d'Alba

Serralunga d'Alba is a renowned commune on the eastern side of Barolo. Soils are very old and composed mainly of sandstone and sand. This results in wines that tend to be firmer/fuller in style than those from regions with soils based on limestone or calcareous marl like La Morra. With their robust tannic structure, they require plenty of time in bottle before drinking. However, the vineyards of Giovanni Rosso benefit from a variety of soil types. Therefore, the winery can produce different expressions of Barolo, reflecting their terroir.

Organic viticulture

Though not certified organic, they use organic farming practices where possible. They avoid chemical fertilizers, insecticides or weed-killers and harvest by hand.

Vigna Rionda

Vigna Rionda is one of their top crus, a jewel in the crown of this estate. Partially replanted in 2011, 0.40ha still contain vines planted in 1947. This vineyard is south-facing and has a limestone-based soil.

High scores for 2016 releases

World renowned Wine Enthusiast magazine recently published its scores and reviews of the 2016 Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Giovanni Rosso swept the board, receiving their highest ever scores, including 100 points for the 2016 Barolo DOCG Vigna Rionda Ester Canale Rosso. This is one of only two Barolos to achieve 100 points and to be included in their "Cellar Selection".

The following scores were awarded:-
2016 Vintage

2016 is widely acknowledged as one of the best vintages in recent times. The wines from Giovanni Rosso show a phenomenal sense of place, terroir and time. The Nebbiolo grapes ripened perfectly due to a mild winter with later than usual budding in spring. This was followed by a long summer, which produced exceptionally well-balanced grapes with excellent structure but without excessive alcohol content.

Vigna Barolo DOCG Rionda Ester Canale

Wine Enthusiast's Kerin O'Keefe described the Vigna Barolo DOCG Rionda Ester Canale wine as a "textbook, dream Barolo". He adds that it "opens with quintessential aromas of underbrush, rose petal, dried herb and forest berry. The youthfully austere, delicious palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, liquorice and menthol, before a tobacco finish. Noble tannins give it a firm, polished backbone, while bright acidity keeps it balanced and imparts age worthy energy." Recommended drinking dates are "2026-2066".

Davide Rosso, owner and winemaker at Giovanni Rosso, said: "We are profoundly proud of the wines we produce year in year out. To be honoured in such a way for the 2016 vintages is testament to our ethos, belief and winemaking know-how. We want our wines to be a natural reflection of their terroir and the journey the grapes have been through."

Welcome news in difficult times

These prestigious accolades come at a time when the wine industry has been battling current social and economic uncertainty. Davide Rosso offers his further thoughts. "This means so much at a time in history which has seen such stark emotions and yet also the coming together of the human spirit during this global pandemic. We are delighted for our wines to be recognised in this way. The unmistakeable taste profile of Giovanni Rosso is clear in this beautiful expression from our 2016 harvest. [This vintage had] some of the best and consistent conditions I have personally presided over."

Where to buy Giovanni Rosso wines

Giovanni Rosso wines are imported exclusively by Berry Bros. & Rudd in the UK and will be available from September 2020. Prices range from £72 to £272 for the 2016 vintage.