Barolo, San Rocco, 2018

Name: Barolo, San Rocco
Brand: Azelia
Price: 510.32 GBP

Available Vintages

all 1998 2006 2007 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

justerini & brooks tasting note

Deep, earthy and peppery; closed but full-bodied; big and brooding. Compact dark hedgerow fruit, cool earth and a hint of mocha. Dense and tight wound, this is one of the more backward 18s we tasted and needs to be left in peace for a good decade before being approached. An Azelia monopole San Rocco is a top notch Serralunga vineyard that faces south and southwest, where the soils are practically 100% clay, a very hard compact grey clay. The vines are 70 years old. Aged exclusively in large oak botti for two years.

critic reviews

93/100Monica Larner,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the 2018 Barolo San Rocco offers a mix of fruit, floral and earthy aromas. These are some of the cornerstones of fine Nebbiolo, and this vintage does a good job of balancing out these various elements. The San Rocco is more accessible and can be enjoyed in the medium-term if you don't want to wait.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2042

date of review 08/2022

92/100Susan Hulme,The Wine Independent

The 2018 Azelia Barolo San Rocco is a fairly deep ruby color, with slight coconut oak top notes. It has well-integrated oak spice and firm tannins which are closing down the fruit at the moment. It feels very ambitious and a little austere with a tannic density - a very muscular style but just a little impenetrable at the moment.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2037

date of review 07/2022

88/100Antonio Galloni,Vinous

The 2018 Barolo San Rocco is graced with pretty red berry fruit, orange peel, flowers and white pepper. There is fine balance and plenty of delineation, but the San Rocco is decidedly understated and quiet, as so many Barolos are in 2018. It's hard to look past the short, abrupt finish.

DRINKING WINDOW 2021 - 2028

date of review 02/2022