For several years we have believed that Figli Luigi Oddero had the potential to be one of the very great estates of the Langhe. Their latest 2016 vintage releases suggest that this potential is now being realised. They produced a thrilling set of wines, none more so than the Rocche Rivera, one of the top scoring wines in Monica Larner’s recent Barolo report for the Wine Advocate.
Pretty and intense in equal measure, this is a jewel of a Barolo offering juicy, sweet red fruit that weaves intricately through the mouth-coating body and structure. Attractive, seductive but noble and complex, the palate paints a vivid picture of wild red berries, plums and crushed stones – lively, crystalline flavours which reverberate throughout the haunting finish.
Read More“Rocche Rivera is a 2.5-hectare parcel inside the Scarrone cru located in Castiglione Falletto with sandy calcareous soils. The celebrated Rocche di Castiglione is located adjacent, and the Pira cru is directly above. Rocche Rivera enjoys an ideal position in one of the best-performing areas of the appellation in this classic vintage. The Figli Luigi Oddero 2016 Barolo Rocche Rivera is stunning, with a level of harmony and purity that makes an immediate and lasting impact. The wine shows pristine fruit aromas backed by wild rose, tar, ash and blood orange. Those aromas hang in perfect balance. The wine is firmly compact and solid in terms of mouthfeel, requiring a few extra years of cellar time to fully unwind. This beautiful 6,000-bottle release will hit the market in October 2020.” 97+ points, Monica Larner, www.robertparker.com
About Figli Luigi Oddero
The estate’s story started in 2006 when Luigi split off from the Oddero estate with 30ha. Luigi sadly passed away in 2009 but his wife Lena is now running the Azienda alongside children Maria and Giovanni. Dante Scaglione, of Giacosa fame, is consultant winemaker and in 2016 Francesco Versio joined the team as full time head winemaker. Also formerly of Bruno Giacosa Francesco is considered one of the brightest young winemaking talents of the region. Methods are traditional here, long gentle extractions followed by ageing in large old oak casks for up to three years. Blessed with some truly great vineyards and some of the best winemaking talent around, the Luigi Oddero future looks bright indeed. Vivid, elegant wines with great intensity and purity of flavour.
This wine is offered under bond. It is currently abroad and is due to be shipped in Autumn 2020