97 points Wine Enthusiast: "Aromas of leather, scorched earth, grilled herb and camphor come to the forefront along with a whiff of hazelnut. Savory and full-bodied, the compelling palate delivers dried cherry, orange zest, black licorice and baking spice set against youthfully firm but refined tannins."
The more expressive and accessible Cavallotto Riserva in its youth, Vignolo is where my love of Cavallotto began (the 2000 vintage, which I should have bought more of). This '15 is a showstopper–savored over two days, without decanting, with a hearty meal of brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Barolo), was heavenly. -Marcus
2013 vintage notes
97 points Wine Enthusiast, Cellar Selection: "Underbrush, tilled soil, blue flower, pipe tobacco and wild berry aromas mingle together with leather and menthol. Firmly structured and enveloping, the delicious palate doles out raspberry compote, dried cherry, baking spice and star anise, while tightly woven but fine-grained tannins provide support. It's nicely balanced, with bright acidity. It's already tempting, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2023–2043."
2012 vintage notes
95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Pressed rose, sunbaked earth, aromatic herb, new leather, balsamic notes and a whiff of game are just some of the aromas you'll find on this multifaceted red. The full-bodied palate boasts structure and personality, delivering dried Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and tobacco set against a backbone of firm noble tannins. Drink 2022–2032."
Tasted thrice already, Vignolo follows its tradition of showing the more immediately expressive side of Cavallotto Riservas. The '12 Vigno is beautiful, deep, and a must-have for Barolo fans.
No trip to Barolo is complete without a visit to Cavallotto, and no Barolo collection is complete without Cavallotto Riservas! The largest bottle I could find...alas, I could not fit in my suitcase. While this has 1-2 decades of cellarability ahead of it, it was nonetheless amazing with the proper cuisine. - Marcus
