NoseThe bouquet is complex and sophisticated with elegant notes of violet, roses, wild berry jam, goudron, leather and truffle together with fresh balsamic and spicy hints. blackcurrantjamroseviolet
FlavorOn the palate it is superbe, austere, mouthfilling, with an incredible elegant tension and a long fruity and savoury finish.
Piedmont At a Glance
Region NamePiedmont
Piemonte is considered by many the top wine region of Italy, being the land of Barolo and Barbaresco, even though these mega-popular wines only account for 3% of the region’s wine production.
Score: 93Vintage 2019James SucklingNotes of plum skins and dried strawberries with hazelnuts, spice box, tar and wet cellar undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and dense with very fine and compact tannins and a deep smoked fruit character. Lengthy and viscous on the finish. Try after 2026.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 97Vintage 2018Wine EnthusiastRose
petal, forest floor, woodland berry and wet iron
aromas come to the forefront on this stunning
red. All about finesse and balance, the delicious,
precise palate features juicy raspberry, red cherry,
star anise and ground clove framed in tightly knit
but ultrarefined tannins and bright acidity. Drink
2026–2038. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 94Vintage 2018Wine SpectatorA well-defined red, this exhibits floral, plum, cherry, earth and leather flavors, with a wide swath of refined tannins. Fresh, elegant and balanced in a youthful way, with a hint of herbs and underbrush on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. 310 cases made, 40 cases imported.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 99Vintage 2017Wine EnthusiastAbsolutely compelling, this arresting wine opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of rose petal, camphor, star anise and wild berries. Structured but also smooth as silk, the firm yet elegant palate features ripe Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and white pepper framed in tightly woven, ultrarefined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it well-balanced while a saline note lingers on the long finish. Drink 2027–2042.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2017Wine SpectatorThe core of cherry flavor runs deep in this intense red, along with notes of eucalyptus, licorice, iron and a hint of flowers. Retreats into a compact stance, with resonant tannins, yet there is an overall finesse and gracefulness that cannot be denied. Best from 2025 through 2047. 250 cases made, 25 cases imported. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2017Wine SpectatorThe core of cherry flavor runs deep in this intense red, along with notes of eucalyptus, licorice, iron and a hint of flowers. Retreats into a compact stance, with resonant tannins, yet there is an overall finesse and gracefulness that cannot be denied. Best from 2025 through 2047.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 100Vintage 2016Wine EnthusiastThis textbook, dream Barolo opens with quintessential aromas of underbrush, rose petal, dried herb and forest berry while the
youthfully austere, delicious palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and menthol before a tobacco finish.
Noble tannins give it a firm, polished backbone while bright acidity keeps it balanced and imparts ageworthy energy.
Drink 2026–2066. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 97Vintage 2016Wine SpectatorA white pepper aroma introduces this rich, succulent red. Raspberry, cherry, floral and mineral flavors abound, backed by a dense structure. It's all about the fruit up front, the texture on the finish. But when these two components align, look out. Super long and fresh. Best from 2023 through 2048. 250 cases made, 25 cases imported.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 97Vintage 2016Wine SpectatorA white pepper aroma introduces this rich, succulent red. Raspberry, cherry, floral and mineral flavors abound, backed by a dense structure. It's all about the fruit up front, the texture on the finish. But when these two components align, look out. Super long and fresh. Best from 2023 through 2048. 250 cases made, 25 cases imported. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2016Vinous MediaThe 2016 Barolo Vigna Rionda is the best wine Davide Rosso has made from this site yet. Fresh, floral and sensual, the 2016 captures all of the finesse that makes Rionda the Musigny of Barolo. All the elements fall into place in a magical, richly evocative Barolo that shows such grace and class. Rose petal, mint, orange peel and red berry fruit are some of the notes that run through this exquisite Barolo. The 2016 marks a very important step for the evolution of this bottling.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 94Vintage 2016Wine AdvocateClosed with a pretty red wax capsule, the Ester Canale Rosso 2016 Barolo Vignarionda is a wine of broad shoulders and wide aromas. The bouquet opens to dark fruit, dried currant, spice, licorice, candied orange and powdered licorice. Like the other wines in this series, this Barolo shows downplayed energy, choosing instead to adopt a slow-to-open and more contemplative or classic approach. This is an expensive bottle but is overall a bit flat. It does award an orderly and compliant interpretation of the mighty Nebbiolo grape.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 97Vintage 2015Wine EnthusiastEarthy aromas of wild red berry, underbrush, new leather and tar come together on the nose of this delicious, enveloping red. The elegant, full-bodied palate delivers ripe brandied cherry, juicy raspberry, truffle, licorice and baking spice set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. It's already impressive, but give it time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2025–2035.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 97Vintage 2015Wine EnthusiastEarthy aromas of wild red berry, underbrush, new leather and tar come together on the nose of this delicious, enveloping red. The elegant, full-bodied palate delivers ripe brandied cherry, juicy raspberry, truffle, licorice and baking spice set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. It's already impressive, but give it time to develop even more complexity. Drink 2025–2035. KERIN O’KEEFEShelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 93Vintage 2015Wine Spectator Vibrant and racy, with strawberry, cherry, liquorice, incence and spice flavors. The supple texture add to the appeal, while fine balance and a long finish enhance the quality. Best from 2022 through 2040.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 93Vintage 2015Vinous MediaThe 2015 Barolo Vigna Rionda is a wine of real power and intensity. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2015 needs time for the sensuality and pedigree of Rionda to emerge. Today, the 2015 is a bit bombastic, although it offers tons of allure. Hints of tobacco, leather, dark cherry, licorice, menthol, spice and dried flowers build as the 2015 shows off everything its got. I can't wait to taste the 2015 with a bit more bottle age.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2014Wine SpectatorPacked with sweet, ripe cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, this is shaded by accents of earth, woodsy underbrush and tobacco. Sleek and racy, this persists with energy through the resonant finish. A terrific expression of the vintage. Best from 2023 through 2043. 150 cases made, 25 cases imported. –BSShelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 88Vintage 2014Wine AdvocateThe 2014 Barolo VignaRionda Ester Canale Rosso is sort of sweet and sour at the same time and not totally aligned. Its plump fruit has some strange ripeness to it. It's not a bad wine, but it's not great either. It is meant for immediate or near-term drinking.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
blackcurrant
jam
rose
violet
