Winemaker Notes
This is Guido’s inaugural vintage of Vigna Rionda, and it will be a lot of fun to follow the evolution of this great terroir as he continues to unlock its full potential over time. The nobility of this terroir is immediately evident, as the vinification is the same as for his other crus but the wine is not. It simultaneously has more finesse and more concentration, with beautiful aromatics, length, perfume, density, and noble structure. There is an extra gear here on every level.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2015 Barolo Vigna Rionda is a very pretty and elegant wine, especially considering this is just the second vintage from these young vines. Sensual and ample, with striking translucency, Porro's 2015 captures plenty of the refined, sensual qualities that have made Barolos from this site so coveted over the years. If the 2015 is this good, I can only imagine where the wine could go in more favorable vintages and once the vines are a bit older. Next to the other Barolos in this range, the Vigna Rionda has a completely unique textural feel. Then again, that is precise what makes this site so unique.
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.