Luigi Einaudi Barolo Bussia 2016

Bussia! Considered to be among the very best Barolo crus and known for producing nebbiolo wines of great structure, concentration, and complexity...all things this graceful and persistent wine has in great supply! Add on the great press from the critics, the remarkable 2016 vintage, and our fantastic savings of over 30% OFF, and you have a Barolo worthy of any great collection!

Luigi Einaudi is the founder of this estate, still run generations later by his family (they just celebrated 125 years!). He would go on to become famous for far more than his wines, as he became Italy’s first-ever president, shortly after the conclusion of World War II. The estate is situated in the Monforte d’Alba, in the pristine cru territory of Bussia – the first ever Barolo cru to be vinified and labeled as a single district wine back in 1961.

Over the last decade, there been a rising sentiment that the region of Bussia has grown larger than should be allotted – a marketing exploitation that is tarnishing the overall reputation of quality of this revered cru. Traditionalists maintain that the keys to Bussia’s greatness are the south/southwest exposures on the hillsides, which should fall in the elevation of 300 - 450 meters above sea level, and only on the mineral-rich, calcareous marl soils and famous Diano sandstones that differentiate Barolo from nearby Barbaresco. An increased number of producers have begun to delineate the Bussia region a step further, as these preferred traits are found in the unofficial sub-region known as Bussia Soprana. While not notated on the bottle, this Luigi Einaudi bottling enjoys all of these desirable features, and when paired with the traditional winemaking and farming practices at the estate – the result is a truly classic style of Bussia Soprana, showcasing all the elements that make this cru such a flagship of traditional Barolo.

The aromas open with pretty red fruits of raspberries and pomegranates, alongside earthy and savory notes of bay laurel, anise seed, dried rose, and peppery smoked beef. The flavors are more of the same, with added notes of strawberries, morello cherries, tobacco, and Earl Grey tea. The concentration, length, and imposing structure are all noteworthy, and, as good as this wine is now, it is certainly one that will greatly benefit from a few more years in bottle (with a range of up to three decades, should you so choose!). Just a fantastic effort from a classic, and tiny, producer that shouldn’t be missed! Seriously, only about 250 cases of this wine were crafted, and very little made it to export. We got all we could, and now, it’s your turn!