At a glance

Producer

Marchesi di Barolo

Region

Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$50-70

Tasting profile

Tight and focused with intense red cherry, rose petal, tar, and subtle earth notes; tannins prominent.

Evolution: With aging, tertiary aromas of leather, truffle, tobacco, and dried herbs will emerge with softer tannins.

At peak: Complex layers of fruit and savory notes with velvety texture and balanced acidity.

Structure

Acidity

High, balanced and invigorating

Tannins

High, firm and grippy

Alcohol

14.0-14.5%

Aging potential

20-25+ years, excellent aging potential based on vintage and producer

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2042

Optimal window

2024 to 2045

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

Still youthful with pronounced tannins and acidity, requires decanting for best enjoyment

The 2017 vintage in Barolo was very good, producing structured Nebbiolo wines with high acidity and firm tannins that benefit from extended aging. The Sarmassa cru, being one of the prestigious vineyard sites, typically results in wines with excellent balance and longevity exceeding 20 years.

Food pairing

Ideal with rich and savory dishes such as braised beef, game meats, truffle risotto, aged hard cheeses, and slow-cooked stews.

Serving

Serving temperature

18°C / 64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften tannins and open up complex aromas and flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Typical producer practices involve careful canopy management, limited chemical inputs, hand harvesting, and some water conservation efforts; packaging is traditional with glass bottles and cork stoppers

Marchesi di Barolo, as a traditional Piedmont producer, follows regional sustainable viticulture norms but does not currently have organic or biodynamic certification. The steep vineyard sites require manual labor which lowers mechanization carbon emissions, but glass bottle weight and international transportation add to overall carbon footprint.