Superlative, Traditional Barolo: Brovia Sale 2-24-25

In This Newsletter:
 
Brovia Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Benjamin Romeo

 
At The Cusp of Cult
 
Stock Up & Save On

 
Brovia

 
Traditionally farmed, the expressive Barolos of Brovia have wowed insiders for decades. Ever since the 2015 vintage, we’ve been writing about how surprised we are that these wines don’t fly off the shelves. They seem to have it all: perfectionist vineyard management (organic without certification, careful pruning, and hand harvesting), superb and distinctive holdings (see for reference: Villero), unapologetically old-school winemaking (long and slow fermentation and long aging in large barrels and, subsequently, in bottle), and consistently excellent releases (see for reference: their reviews). A long, solid list of reasons why you should take note.
 
So, given their traditionalist stance and indifference to the whims of modern preferences, what could be bringing the limelight to this small producer? Climate change. Their normal style is lean and coiled, so the extra warmth of recent vintages, beginning in force with 2015, pushed the wines to be a little grander than usual. And collectors have started to notice.
 
These are all wines that are shaping up to be epics. One day, you’ll look back on and wish you had bought more. There’s no going down from here, in price, points, or popularity. So don’t miss this chance.
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Brovia
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Brovia

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
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Sale ends Thursday, February 27th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer sixteen in-stock Brovia options on sale now, including:
 
Brovia Vignavillej Dolcetto d’Alba 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points
“The 2021 Dolcetto d’Alba Vignavillej is deep, potent and explosive. A super Dolcetto, the 2021 packs a serious punch. Blackberry, cloves, new leather and mocha all saturate the palate in this sumptuous, full-bodied Dolcetto. Superb.”
 
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The Brovia 2018 Barolo is a classic wine with a smooth and silky mouthfeel that is brightened by cassis, dried cherry, tar, licorice and campfire ash. The firm tannins give ample support and contribute to the wine’s considerable length.”
 
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
“On a shortlist of “annata” wines to buy from Piedmont this year is the Brovia 2019 Barolo. Made from a blend of fruit from Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba, this wine delivers a very sharp and chiseled performance that puts a priority on directness, freshness and length. This pretty wine has a pronounced fruity side and a mineral side, and these two parts converge beautifully. There are hints of dried mint and licorice on the close of this must-have wine. 25,000 bottles were produced.”
 
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $61.50, that’s $58.43 at 5% off and $55.35 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchants Importer Note
“Brovia’s formidable Barolo “Brovia” epitomizes their classically built yet elegant house style and expresses the full breadth of their enviable holdings. While its composition varies slightly each year depending on yields, it always comprises the following sources: (1) From their holdings in Castiglione Falletto, Brovia produces but one single cask of each cru-designated wine per vintage, directing any extra volume into the Barolo “Brovia.” Accounting for 20-30% of the wine’s final blend, this spillover comes from vines exceeding 50 years of age in the crus of Rocche di Castiglione, Villero, and Garblet Sue. (2) 70-80% of the Barolo “Brovia” comes from holdings in Serralunga d’Alba, primarily in the cru of Brea with smaller amounts (beginning in 2020) in Gianetto, an east-facing cru which is a natural extension of Brea and yields a wine of similar character. These vines are 20 to 30 years of age on average, the oldest parcels of Brea being used for the single-cru bottling. The Barolo “Brovia” undergoes spontaneous fermentation in a variety of vessels—cement, open-top wood, and stainless steel—and is raised 24 to 30 months in oak botti between 30 and 100 hectoliters in capacity. Afterward, the wine is assembled in a combination of steel and wood for an additional year, being bottled no sooner than 40 months after harvest. This aging process, which is longer than that of the crus (aged solely in 30- to 40-hectoliter casks and bottled after 30 months), allows for a wine slightly more open-knit upon release by design.”
 
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $319, that’s $303.05 at 5% off and $287.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points
“With the cream-colored label, the 2019 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia is another standout wine from one of the most collectible producers in the appellation. The wine from vintners Elena Brovia and Alex Sanchez is especially sharp, focused and polished. You get a lot of satisfaction here and sophistication too, with an amazing sense of clarity and depth. Wild berry, cassis, blood orange, iris and campfire ash emerge from the bouquet. There is drying mineral on the silky close. This is one of my favorite wines of the vintage.”
 
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $132.50, that’s $125.88 at 5% off and $119.25 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe 98 points
“Showing elegance, structure, concentration and great depth, the 2020 Brovia Vigna Cà Mia is magnificent, starting with its enticing fragrance of rose, camphor and pipe tobacco. Reflecting the fruit richness of the vintage and the balance and body the site is celebrated for, the delicious palate unleashes fleshy cherry and crushed raspberry before closing on truffle and licorice notes. A backbone of enveloping fine-grained tannins lends structure and a velvety texture. Drink 2028-2038.”
 
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $299, that’s $284.05 at 5% off and $269.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points
“Brovia hits it out of the ballpark with this set of wines from the 2019 vintage. The 2019 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a darker, broader expression that stands on its own thanks to that special intensity. This expression veers toward dark fruit and black cherry, and there is a lot of iron ore or rusty nail at the back. The wine is almost sanguine in character, but in a manner that enhances all the other beautiful characteristics on hand. The mouthfeel is slightly more open-knit and rich, making this a better pairing partner to hearty meat dishes. Production is 5,000 bottles.”
 
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $132, that’s $125.40 at 5% off and $118.80 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $289, that’s $274.55 at 5% off and $260.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points
“The 2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a sexy, racy wine. Pliant and deep, the 2020 is a great example of this site. Soft contours wrap around a core of dark red fruit, kirsch, spice, menthol, new leather and licorice. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s stunning inner perfume, that most Rocche of signatures. Deep and layered, with exceptional balance, the 2020 is a striking, captivating wine that captures the best the vintage had to offer. Drink 2027-2045 (Jan 2024)”
 
Brovia Garblet Sue, Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe 97 points
“The 2020 Brovia Garblèt Sue’ is fantastic, starting with its enticing aromas of blue flower, wild berry and spice. Full-bodied and delicious, it boasts a weightless concentration that wraps around juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and dark exotic spice. Velvety tannins lend a smooth texture while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. This is already accessible but will also offer years of pleasure. Drink 2027-2035.”
 
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2015 Barolo Villero offers richness and darkness with fruit from Castiglione Falletto, and it’s one of the more intense wines I tasted within this selection. The Villero is a balanced and polished Barolo that opens to nicely integrated fruit and spice tones, expertly interwoven and united. The wine has a beautiful entry to the palate. Indeed, this pretty wine presented a united front, with seamless and graceful integration.”
 
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points
“Aromas of forest berry, new leather, dark spice and camphor come to the forefront on this gorgeous red. Full-bodied and delicious, the elegantly structured palate doles out crushed raspberry, licorice, orange zest and mint while bright acidity lends youthful, nervous tension. Taut, refined tannins provide structure and impeccable balance. Drink 2026-2038.”
 
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $135, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $289, that’s $274.55 at 5% off and $260.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points
“With fruit from one of the top growing sites in Castiglione Falletto, the 2019 Barolo Villero shows a slightly ripe and soft side with cherry and dried raspberry followed by licorice, tar and rusty metal. This is an elegant expression, with a terrific sense of focus, that delivers complexity and depth, especially in this excellent vintage. Only 5,000 bottles were released.”
 
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $132, that’s $125.40 at 5% off and $118.80 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $289, that’s $274.55 at 5% off and $260.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe 96 points
“Showing great class and precision, Brovia’s fragrant 2020 Villero is a chiseled beauty. Taut and focused, the palate features crushed strawberry, pomegranate and blood orange accented with licorice and pink peppercorn before an almost salty close. A backbone of refined tannins provides firm support. It needs a few more years to fully develop and shows good aging potential for this rather forward vintage. Drink 2029-2036.”
 
Shop our sixteen Brovia selections now!


 
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Benjamin Romeo
 
Though only founded in 1995, Bodegas Contador quickly gained a superb reputation for outstanding terroir and skilled winemaking. Only 200 bottles were released of this 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo, and we have just four bottles remaining on our Close-Out Sale. It was in this vintage that the winery, owned and run by Benjamin Romeo, winemaker at Artadi, became famous with a string of high scores from the Wine Advocate. Discover what wowed the critics with a perfectly aged bottle from our temperature-controlled shop!
 
In Stock and On Close-Out Sale Now:
 
Bodegas Contador – Benjamin Romeo ‘La Vina de Andres Romeo’, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ml Was $199, Now $179, 4 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 98 points
“There are a mere 200 bottles of the 2004 La Vina de Andres Romeo. This wine is tightly wound and remains an infant developmentally. Nevertheless, all the ingredients for greatness are present but it will take a decade of cellaring for them to be full expressed. This sensational effort should easily drink well for 40-50 years like a great first growth Bordeaux.”
 
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $219.99

We offer 168 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
 
Shop the sale on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

GD Vajra & Baudana
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of GD Vajra & Baudana
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of GD Vajra & Baudana
 
Jadot
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Jadot
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Jadot

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
GD Vajra & Baudana sale ends Tuesday, February 25th at 9 am Pacific. Jadot sale ends Wednesday, February 26th at 9 am Pacific.