2009 Oddero, Barolo DOCG, Piedmonte, Italy.
Oddero from Barolo’s La Morra district is really nailing it these days and I’ve been highly impressed with every wine I’ve tasted, especially their Barbera and this amazingly good Barolo. While all the buzz is about 2010 Barolo, and it should be, it is great to taste a superb and almost ready to drink vintage, like this 2009, as I think most 2010’s will need some time to truly show all their greatness and unfold all their deep layers. So, with the ‘Tens tucked nicely in the cellar, I highly recommend gathering up some of this Oddero 2009 Barolo, this is fine and beautiful Nebbiolo with sweet/ripe tannins and Burgundy like class and pleasure, hat’s off to Oddero, this is not a wine to miss. The 2009 Oddero Barolo comes from 5 different vineyards within La Morra and Falletto, each vineyard is picked and raised separate, the wine is fermented in stainless steel vats and aged 30 months in a mix of big Slavonian cask and Austrian oak barrels, the vines are farmed mostly organic with an eye to convert to biodynamics, everything is done with a mind to showcase purity and highlight terroir, all of which seems to succeed, these are lovely and detailed wines, especially this Barolo. The nose is full of red fruits, rose petals, early tones and mineral, the wine is transparent, light ruby with brick and garnet hues, the body feels full and the texture is wonderfully satin and silk, but the wine does have energy and vigor too, with classic layers of Nebbiolo fruit and drive. The palate is refined elegance with good focus showing morello cherry, red raspberry, balsamic dipped strawberry and a flash of damson plum along with saline/brine, truffle, dried flowers and black licorice as well as fine traces of cedar and soft wood notes. With air the wine firms up and delivers lift and structure as well as a long finish, everything is stylishly transmitted and this is a real treat from a vintage that shouldn’t be overlooked short term, drink this beauty from 2015 to 2020, Poderi e Cantine Oddero is a winery to discover and follow! Buy the 2009’s to drink and the 2010’s to hold.
($55 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
